Our own President, Mr. Bush, visited Latin America to mend some fences recently. Latin Americans accused him and us, the U.S., of getting our priorities mixed up. On some issues they are right. However, the leaders seem to have ignored an ugly problem in the world, in the U.S., and in particular, Latin America. Concentrating on immigration and the drug debacle does not help this problem.
Some are calling it femicide. The continuing murder of women with impunity has to be more important than the movement of bales of grass or the desires of some to come to America without a green card. Progress has been made in the more civilized world against the murder and abuse of women, but the carnage continues. In traditional societies where men rule, where law is easily bought or ignored, as in Mexico and Latin America, the murder and exploitation of women is just beginning to be publicized and fought. The battles are small, the war large, the advances slow. In the violent, primitive world of the Arab and Muslim, women remain disposable property. It is not easy to read Lolita in Teheran.
In December of 2006, the Mexican Congress passed a new law protecting women. The new President, Felipè Calderòn, signed The General Law on Women's Access to a Life Free of Violence, which for the first time in Mexico addresses broadly a problem suffered on a daily basis by close to half the women in this country, usually in silence. The President has made his first priority the promotion of law and order in a traditional culture that continues to kill women at the rate of 5 per day.
IPS News reported on the changes under the title "Law on Violence Against Women - Necessary but Not Sufficient" by Diego Cevallos. The campaign begins one spot with: "This is the last time Patricia will be battered." There are radio and TV spots about the new law, but the problem is that it seems to have no teeth, and, and while women are continuing to be raped and murdered, the issue is still being discussed and argued.
At least Mexico's new law brings an important light to shine on a problem too long kept in the dark. However, it has serious obstacles before it can be of any worth. There is the reality of gender issues that are new to a traditional culture. There are "no trained prosecutors, police or judges, nor is there a network of shelters for battered women, nor educational programmes about violence," said Mariela Martinez, the "gender affairs coordinator" for Etornos Educativos (Educational Settings).
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Article comments
1 - moonraven
We call it "feminicide" here in Mexico. In the state where I live--Morelos--there have been several women murdered just since the beginning of the year (this is a small state, but at different times it has been the kidnapping capital of the republic). There of course has been a big burst of outrage--but at the same time the rightwing governor has cut funding for women's rights.
If men were being targetted just because of their sex you can bet there would be millions available....
2 - moonraven
Not to mention that if men were the targets because of their sex there would be other posts on this thread....
3 - mejicojohn
??? women are different in mexico, , , and do obey their husbands, , , that much is different, , , what happened in juarez i dunno, , , could be a lone killer, , , i doubt it was a conspiracy.
what i do know is the mexican police cant catch a chicken in a henhouse, , , doesnt matter if the victim was male or female.
4 - moonraven
Women in Mexico may have obeyed their husbands 25 years ago or more--it's no longer the case.
The situation of the murders of women in Juarez is very complex--and involves the highest level of local and state government. Almost all the women have been from the lower social classes--mostly women who work in the maquiladoras.
5 - Nancy
You're horribly correct, MR - & IMO the cause is the continuation of predominantly patriarchal cultures around the world. Men seem to have an inherent instinct to bully & threaten others, & who better to take it out on than those who are physically less strong, & unable to fight back effectively? The history of male abuse of women is not only shameful, scandalous, & revolting, but it shows NO signs of abatement or correction, sporadic attempts otherwise to the contrary. I have to admit I cheered when in Anne Rice's book, Queen of the Damned & its sequel, she had women rising up to slaughter all the abusive males in their lives. Men are responsible for most of the violence, war, & crime in this world. I hate to say it, but it would be a more peaceful world if women ran the show & most men were reduced to decorticated laborers. Testosterone would seem to be a poison to the brain & temperament.
6 - Howard Dratch
Nancy. Thank you for the "horribly correct" label. Femicide is both.
My wife of almost 40 years died in December as a result of injuries from a previous murder attempt by anti-Americans. They threatened my life repeatedly but are too cowardly to take on an old man with a pacemaker. It was easier to run a swimming woman down with a speed-boat.
However, having women (like the public minister) run the world while I am "reduced to...(a) decorticated larorer" would not have made my wife happy. The problem is one of violence, laws, equality and justice, not testosterone. She and I both enjoyed mine in happier times.
Merriam writes of "decorticated" as removing the outer layer of an organ -- "skinned alive" was my take on the word. Something I would like to be able to do to these perpetrators and femicidal maniacs globally. But "most men" is pushing it.
My wife particularly liked men -- masculine men. We both liked many Mexicans. The problem is not a blanket accusation of the sex or this country but of cultures and societal controls -- the protection of human rights for all.
7 - Ruvy in Jerusalem
Howard,
It truly hurts to read about what happened to your wife, and why.
I realize now why you are so mealymouthed about reporting on Mexico - but why, when you do, it is always a factual report that can lead others to be harshly critical of the country.
Yihyú l'khém b'shanót hab'ót rak náHat,shalvá, neHamá, briút v'shalóm. Yishmór haraHamán 'aléikhem.
May you both be left to enjoy your years together in peace, and may you both derive whatever pleasures can be derived in joy and comfort. May you be bathed in health, and may the Merciful One guard over you.
B'vrakhá,
Reuven
8 - Dave Nalle
Howard, I had heard your wife had died, but I hadn't heard the circumstances until now. What a tragedy and an outrage.
Are the authorities doing anything? Can you comment on the nature of the anti-americanism you've encountered?
Dave
9 - Clavos
Howard,
I did not know your wife had died.
I can't begin to know the pain and anguish you surely are feeling, but I do want you to know that my wife and I are praying for both of you.
I'm so sorry, Howard.
Clavos