Discussion List for campus-based and allied personnel working to end gender-based violence on campus.

["Irene Weiser" <>]

JUSTICE FOR THE WOMEN OF JUAREZ AND CHIHUAHUA: MOTHERS OF FEMICIDE 
VICTIMS SPEAK OUT!
In March the Mexico Solidarity Network will be touring with a 
representative from Justicia Para Nuestras Hijas, an organization of 
mothers of victims of the Ciudad Juarez and Chihuahua femicides.
If you are interested in hosting the tour or know of any universities 
or other organizations who might be interested, please contact the 
office for further details.

For more information, contact us at: 

  or
Northeastern US Tour: March 1-11 - 202/544-9355 or 773/583-7728 
California Tour: March 15-26 - 415/621-8100

Murders in Chihuahua and Juarez: For more than a decade, the cities 
of Chihuahua and Juarez, near the US-Mexico border, have been killing 
fields for young women, the site of over 380 unsolved femicides. 
Despite the horrific nature of these crimes, authorities at all 
levels exhibit indifference, and there is strong evidence that some 
officials may be involved. Impunity and corruption has permitted the 
criminals, whoever they are, to continue committing these acts, 
knowing there will be no consequences. A significant number of 
victims work in the maquiladora sector - sweatshops that produce for 
export with 90% destined for the United States. The maquiladoras 
employ mainly young women at poverty level wages. In combination with 
lax environmental regulations and low tariffs under the North America 
Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA), the maquiladoras are amassing 
tremendous wealth. Yet despite the crime wave, they offer almost no 
protection for their workers. High profile government campaigns such 
as Ponte Vista (Be Aware), a self defense program, and supplying 
women with whistles have been ineffective and are carried out mainly 
for public relations purposes. Small advances in the struggle for 
justice are due to the perseverance of victims' families who cannot 
be silenced despite the efforts of state and federal authorities to 
keep them quiet. Campaigns by local, national and international 
non-governmental organizations are also important. Often these 
grassroots groups work in a climate of threats and defamation by 
government officials for making one simple demand: STOP THE FEMICIDE.
PROGRAM: Femicide on the US-Mexico Border, a tour sponsored by the 
Mexico Solidarity Network in the spring of 2005, will feature a 
mother of one of the murdered young women and will:
- Educate about the femicides and the Mexican governments failure to 
protect women - Educate about how US policies like free trade and the 
drug war compound the problem.
- Educate about the impact of corporate-centered globalization on 
women in border towns.
- Create strategies that strengthen solidarity between people working 
for social and economic justice on both sides of the US-Mexico border.
The March speaking tour will include a mother of a woman murdered in 
Ciudad Juarez who will share the story of her struggle for justice. A 
representative of Mexico Solidarity Network will discuss the economic 
and social context in which the femicides of Juarez and Chihuahua 
occur.


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Irene Weiser
Stop Family Violence
331 W. 57th St #518
New York, NY 10019

607-539-6856
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www.StopFamilyViolence.org
the people's voice for family peace
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