There is nothing more depressing than finding out the only rape crisis center in the state of Chihuahua Mexico is in financial crisis. That is unless you are a 2008 V-Day organizer that managed to collect NO money for the same crisis center in March. And everyone in the activist community is glaring at you, asking you where the money is, not believing how hard you worked or that no money was earned.

But this isn’t my sad story. This is the sad story of the American Mexican border community that can’t seem to get it the frak together to help women who are doing their best to help themselves.

I received this yesterday from Amigos de las Mujeres de Juarez (Friends of the Women of Juarez)- an activist group that I’m sorry to say did little to assist V-Day efforts however expected great financial results. The one thing I can say for them is that they do their best to keep a large e-mail data base of people updated on what is happening to Casa Amiga. The ONE and ONLY rape crisis center in the state of Chihuahua.

Casa Amiga always operates close to bankruptcy. They see large numbers of survivors of abuse and run the only secure shelter in the north of Mexico . As the militarization of the border increases, we know, based on the work of women like Cynthia Cockburn, that violence against women will only increase. The U.S. is giving millions to Mexico for more militarization, perhaps some of that money could go to deal with the effects of that militarization. If you know any donors or foundations that can help, please contact Ester or Amigos.
Sally
 
The following was translated by Molly Molloy. The original Spanish is below.
Ciudad Juarez
Casa Amiga in economic crisis
El Mexicano July 26, 2008

Ana Chaparro

A lack of economic resources for the ongoing work of Casa Amiga is
endangering its capacity to help domestic violence victims in the
city. Casa Amiga's director, Esther Chavez Cano, is broadening her
appeal to the American Union for economic help after being denied
funding from the Mexican government.

Early this week, Chavez Cano traveled to Mexico City to visit
government agencies INDESOL (National Institute for Social
Development) and SEDESOL (Secretariat for Social Development).

"There is no money for organizations like ours that do the work. We
have a project that is approved, but there is no money. The government
has not given any funds to the director of INDESOL, she says the
budget has been cut. This organization exists to help groups such as
ours—we do necessary work that the government does not do, but still,
they say there is no money," said Chavez Cano in an interview.

And with anger in her voice, she added that there is no money, but
there are $30 billion pesos for the federal government's ad campaign
for the government oil monopoly, PEMEX.  "It is lamentable that they
do not give money to those of us who are working with honesty and
professionalism, as are many of us in Juarez. It is shameful that
there is no space for us (in the federal budget), " commented Chavez
Cano.

Chavez Cano said that she would appeal to foreign sources to seek the
support denied by the Mexican government. She has set up meetings with
several organizations within the American Union in hopes of getting
support although she did not mention the groups specifically in order
not to jeopardize the chances for Casa Amiga.
 
 

I feel like I have to do something- but everything I can do will fall WAY short of the type of money the center really needs. And activists in the area are already avoiding me because I was such a failure at V-Day.

The femicides in Juarez have been taking a back seat in the media for years now. And it’s only getting worse now that the severe gang and cartel violence is taking the forefront of the attention. With all of this violence you have to imagine what is like for women who are being abused and raped.

The police system is corrupt and can’t be bothered by women’s “claims” of rape.  Do you know what the first question the POLICE in Juarez ask women when they say they are raped? “What were you wearing?” The first question out of their mouths. If that phrase were uttered by the police in America we’d have the right to eat him alive in the court systems. In Mexico- it is common practice.

Women and girls who are beaten are advised to go home to their fathers, brothers, husbands, sons- perpetrators- because that is their place. Or they feel they have to go back because they can’t support themselves, they’re afraid, or for any of the other reasons ANY OTHER woman in the WORLD would have. Only in their country the courts don’t pay them the courtesy ours does. Which isn’t saying much because even the American system royally screws up. American crisis centers can get state and federal funding. Casa Amiga manages on donations.

I’m frustrated and scared for the women of Casa Amiga. I remember while I was tabling for V-Day a lot of angry people were asking me why we were rasing money for Casa Amiga in another country and not for the local shelter. I had to explain that our local shelter had state and federal funding, that sororities and fraternities at New Mexico State University run fund raisers for them all the time and businesses and citizens in Las Cruces donated regularly.

How on earth can I get anything done that will bring Casa Amiga the kind of money that they need?

Step one is doing my best to get the word out.

Step two? I have no idea.

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