In Mexico, We Don’t Celebrate Women’s Day —by Revolución Violeta & FEMINIST

Written By Feminist

Note: This blog contains mentions of trafficking, femicide, violence, and abuse. 

eleconomista.com.mx

Each year, thousands of women take to the streets to protest against the high levels of violence and to advocate for basic human rights.

WHY MEXICO DOESN’T CELEBRATE WOMEN’S DAY

Machismo, discrimination, and femicide are prevailing issues in México. Every day, families mourn the loss of relatives at the hands of neglectful and apathetic state officials. While some women may gather to celebrate on International Women’s Day, many will take to the streets and protest for their basic rights, protection, and security. 

IN MEXICO,

This Women’s Day and everyday, we are calling for reforms. 

REFORM 1: Sex Work Regulations that Prevent Trafficking

While sex work has been decriminalized in many parts of México, organized crime poses an extreme threat to the lives of women in Mexico. Members of the sex trade traffic women and underage girls at alarming rates (a 40% increase since 2018), primarily to New York City.

“[He] said that he loved me, but instead he tortured me for three and a half years. Instead of caring for me and respecting me, he abused my body and mind, causing damage that will never fully heal … I hope that you go to hell because that is where you put me.” - 25 year old victim who was forced into the sex trade at age 14.

REFORM 2: Governmental Action Regarding Femicide

México records close to 1000 femicides per year, and 10 women or girls are killed daily.

Government officials, notably President Andrés Manuel López Obrador, have been accused of not doing enough to end femicide with legislative action. This is the primary reason women turn to protest, fists raised in solidarity, and a righteous fury blazing through the crowds. Without systemically-informed solutions, this problem will not be solved. Reform in education, culture, society, and law must be met.

“Although I feel privileged because I live in a safe area, no one can guarantee that one day I will not disappear.” - 21 year old student in Mexico.

REFORM 3: Abortion Rights and Bodily Autonomy

At the end of 2023, Mexico’s Supreme Court deemed national laws prohibiting abortion unconstitutional – federal health institutions are now required to offer abortion to anyone who requests it. Unfortunately, this ruling has no effect on local laws (abortion remains illegal in 20 of the country’s 32 states), and many hospitals are refusing to provide reproductive care, even to rape victims. Further legal work will be required to remove all penalties and ensure that abortions are safe and accessible in Mexico.

"They [doctors] are always looking for ways to prevent [abortion]; they use all their resources not to guarantee it.” - Karina de la Cruz, Member of Marea Verde

This is a major development, but in order for there to be a full spectrum of rights, proper regulations must be enacted and abortion legalized as soon as possible. While there are several deeply problematic aspects to this issue, at the forefront is the abject denial of women's bodily autonomy, privacy, and fundamental rights.

diariodelsur.com.mx

HERE’S HOW YOU CAN SUPPORT WOMEN IN MEXICO:

  • Participate in protests: 

    • México City, where participants will march from the Glorieta de las Mujeres Que Luchan to the Zocalo at 16:00

    • Guadalajara: march from the Rotonda located at the intersection of Avenida Alcalde and Avenida Hidalgo to the Glorieta de los Desaparecidos at 16:30

    • Monterrey: gathering at Explanada de los Heroes at 18:00, and Puebla: March from the El Gallito Clock Tower to the Zocalo at 17:00

  • Demand legal reformations:

    • Find your representative online by searching for leaders on the district, state, or national level. Once there, you can call or email their office, introducing yourself, mentioning which area you’re a constituent of, and citing the bill or specific issue you want to see reformed or passed.

  • Share information about missing women

  • Support women-owned businesses, such as Casa Bosques in CDMX, Prófetica in Puebla, and Viva la Bonita (online). 

  • Donate to women-led organizations, such as Fondo Semillas and PSYDEH


March 8th is not a day to celebrate, it is a day to commemorate. For all the victims and to remember why we keep fighting. No woman will be free until we all are.

#UNDÍASINNOSOTRAS

On March 9th, a day after Women’s Day, many participate in #UNDÍASINNOSOTRAS, “A Day Without Us” wherein women “disappear”. They don’t go to work, school, public spaces, etc as if they actually don’t exist. All this is to highlight the importance of women in Mexican society so people will value their hard work more.

This article is a collaboration between @revolucionvioletamx and @feminist

Feminist

FEMINIST is a women-led social-first digital media platform and collective that exists to actualize the intersectional feminist movement through the amplification of a diverse network of change-makers and creators. With a global audience of over 6.5M+, it is the largest social platform serving the multifaceted lives of women, girls and gender expansive people. As the hub for a socially conscious global community by and for purpose-driven makers through media, technology and commerce, FEMINIST seeks to amplify, educate, inform and inspire.

https://feminists.co
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