Indigenous Women: The Invisible Victims of Femicide in Mexico

Introduction

• Common scenario in Mexico involving missing women found murdered without investigation.

What is Femicide?

• Definition: Intentional murder of women because of their gender.
• Recent Issues: Protests erupted in 2020 due to high-profile femicides.
• Statistics: Femicides increased by 137% over five years.
• Cultural Factors:
  • Linked to 'machismo' culture, embodying traditional male gender roles.
  • Violence seen as power.
  • Crimes against women often seen as less important.

Impact on Indigenous Women

• Absence in Discussions: Indigenous women often overlooked despite making up 15% of the population.
• Multiple Oppressions:
  • High levels of poverty in Indigenous areas.
  • Vulnerability to violent crimes and human trafficking.
• Cartels and Trafficking: 70% of trafficking victims are Indigenous women.

Case Study: Ciudad Juárez

• Location: Border city with high crime due to drug trafficking.
• Effects of Maquiladoras:
  • Attract Indigenous women for low-paying factory jobs.
  • Increased risks of violence and trafficking during commutes.
• Historical Violence:
  • Murder capital in 2009.
  • Femicides common since the 1990s.
  • Lack of data on Indigenous women.

Case Study: Ecatepec

• Location: Suburb of Mexico City, high population and violence.
• Migration and Violence:
  • Rapid growth led to chaos and violence.
  • Indigenous migrants from states with significant Indigenous populations.
• Femicides and Safety Concerns:
  • High number of female murders, some areas extremely dangerous.
  • Underreporting of femicides, normalized violence.

Potential Solutions

• Role of NGOs and Governments:
  • Systemic changes needed, starting locally.
  • Local organizations effective due to personal community relationships.
• Language and Education Barriers:
  • Indigenous women often have half the education of Indigenous men.
  • Communication barriers with authorities.
• Community Activism:
  • Example of Viviana Mucio advocating in Ecatepec.
• Legal Reform:
  • Underrepresentation of Indigenous women in government.
  • Need for stronger legislative framework.
  • Low conviction rate of femicide perpetrators.

Conclusion

• Urgent need for justice and safety for Mexican women, especially Indigenous women, against the backdrop of systemic violence and underreporting of femicides.