CASA AMIGA- The longstanding myth about the city of Juarez is it's violence. Although this myth is partly true, this myth is also most misunderstood. The violence that we see acted upon women for example, is not solely based on gender but on class, as is also an attitude that is deeply rooted in the culture. It makes for a complicated situation that creates an unsafe environment for working-class women in Juarez. Most everyone knows about the murdered women in Juarez. There are countless casualties of violence that are seen on the news but hardly a word is ever uttered about the survivors of violence. A substantial number of the victims have been low wage workers at maquiladoras in Juarez. The attacks are therefore not only rooted in the sexist culture but classist in nature. The surviving victims and survivors of murdered women are not able to pay for counseling services like a middle or upper class population. These survivors, women, men, and children that had been overlooked and abandoned until the day Casa Amiga opened. Literally, the name translates into "friendly house" and there could not be a more appropriate name, judging by the two thousand active cases that depend on them for care. The women who attend Casa Amiga find social workers, psychologists, doctors, and lawyers read to offer assistance. Women are empowered to eradicate violence from their lives. Casa Amiga also educates the citizens of Juarez. Twice a week, volunteers attend Maquiladoras, grade schools, churches, and other various institutions to talk about gender issues, domestic violence, sexual abuse, and many other types of violence. Most of the people reached by Casa Amiga are maquiladora workers and working-class families. Most of the workers at Casa Amiga are volunteers, since the center cannot afford to hire an adequate number of staff. In fact, Casa Amiga can't afford much these days, not even office supplies such as printing paper or pens. About a year ago, when the new city government came into office, Casa Amiga's funds were cut for dubious reasons. Ever since then, Esther Chavez Cano, the center's director, has been embroiled in constant battles with the city's government for the funding. Even as she makes requests on the government and various institutions, the hope of the center lies with donations received from caring people. Fascinating as the city of Juarez may be, the violence in the city is almost palpable. Violence and fear have become a way of life, and Casa Amiga is the only friendly home there is to many afflicted women, men, and children lost and forgotten amidst the messy city politics. As sister city to Juarez, El Paso needs to show solidarity and support for this center, the single women's crisis and rape center in the entire Juarez area. Office supply donations for Casa Amiga are being accepted at the Women's Studies Office at UTEP. For more information, email the Feminist Majority Leadership Alliance at fmla_el_paso@hotmail.com For more information on Casa Amiga, visit: www.casa-amiga.org |
Sunday July 14, 2002 @ Club 101 500 San Francisco El Paso, TX 79902 |
M.U.J.E.R. |
Musicians United for Justice, Equality, and Respect |
PLEASE VISIT OUR LIST OF SPONSORS FOR THIS EVENT |
CASA AMIGA- The longstanding myth about the city of Juarez is it's violence. Although this myth is partly true, this myth is also most misunderstood. The violence that we see acted upon women for example, is not solely based on gender but on class, as is also an attitude that is deeply rooted in the culture. It makes for a complicated situation that creates an unsafe environment for working-class women in Juarez. Most everyone knows about the murdered women in Juarez. There are countless casualties of violence that are seen on the news but hardly a word is ever uttered about the survivors of violence. A substantial number of the victims have been low wage workers at maquiladoras in Juarez. The attacks are therefore not only rooted in the sexist culture but classist in nature. The surviving victims and survivors of murdered women are not able to pay for counseling services like a middle or upper class population. These survivors, women, men, and children that had been overlooked and abandoned until the day Casa Amiga opened. Literally, the name translates into "friendly house" and there could not be a more appropriate name, judging by the two thousand active cases that depend on them for care. The women who attend Casa Amiga find social workers, psychologists, doctors, and lawyers read to offer assistance. Women are empowered to eradicate violence from their lives. Casa Amiga also educates the citizens of Juarez. Twice a week, volunteers attend Maquiladoras, grade schools, churches, and other various institutions to talk about gender issues, domestic violence, sexual abuse, and many other types of violence. Most of the people reached by Casa Amiga are maquiladora workers and working-class families. Most of the workers at Casa Amiga are volunteers, since the center cannot afford to hire an adequate number of staff. In fact, Casa Amiga can't afford much these days, not even office supplies such as printing paper or pens. About a year ago, when the new city government came into office, Casa Amiga's funds were cut for dubious reasons. Ever since then, Esther Chavez Cano, the center's director, has been embroiled in constant battles with the city's government for the funding. Even as she makes requests on the government and various institutions, the hope of the center lies with donations received from caring people. Fascinating as the city of Juarez may be, the violence in the city is almost palpable. Violence and fear have become a way of life, and Casa Amiga is the only friendly home there is to many afflicted women, men, and children lost and forgotten amidst the messy city politics. As sister city to Juarez, El Paso needs to show solidarity and support for this center, the single women's crisis and rape center in the entire Juarez area. Office supply donations for Casa Amiga are being accepted at the Women's Studies Office at UTEP. For more information, email the Feminist Majority Leadership Alliance at fmla_el_paso@hotmail.com For more information on Casa Amiga, visit: www.casa-amiga.org |
photo by Victor Barajas |
photo by Victor Barajas |
