By Joanna Swanger Presented by Shauna Wimmer
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Transcript of By Joanna Swanger Presented by Shauna Wimmer
Casa Amiga: Feminist Community-Building in Ciudad Juárez as an Alternative to the Structural Violence of Globalization
By Joanna SwangerPresented by Shauna
Wimmer
Casa AmigaCasa Amiga, in Ciudad Juárez – founded in
1999. Unique: First crisis center for women in entire northern Mexico border zone.
Casa Amiga and FemicidioStaff focuses on issues of
domestic violence and femicide (femicidio). ◦Sexual violence, mutilation. Women
“less valuable"◦Done at night – blaming the victim.
“Bad women”Victims of femicidio: young (12-
22), employees in maquiladoras, students. Look indigenous (not native to Juárez)
Many instances of femicidio go unpunished
Femicidio
Globalization and Violence against Women
Casa Amiga makes a connection between globalization and violence against women & kids◦Both can be seen as means of
dehumanization and manifestations of alienation
◦Local community building can be used to fight against globalization and its effects
◦Femicide connected to globalization
Globalization and Violence against Women: Manifestations of Alienation on the Border
With NAFTA, many U.S. companies have moved to Mexico to avoid unionization, anti-pollution laws, etc. (maximize $)
In Mexico, they justify paying women less than men – women in maquiladoras◦Young women hired: Obedient, small
& nimble hands, flexible w/ changes & schedules
Globalization damaging families – leads to gang violence
Connection between domestic violence, violence against women, and globalization in Cd. Juárez
Domestic violence is a consequence of socioeconomic conditions caused by malignant globalization
Lifestyle changes – night life◦Women now have incomes – time and money to
spend as they please, such as in nightclub sceneAlienation = lack of community
◦Marx: without social bonds; a permanent stranger
Juárez – A city of migrantsBorder regions in general are places of
constant population flux Juárez is a city that many people flock to –
most inhabitants have not always lived in the city.
Almost all maquiladora employees in the economic boom of the mid 1990s-2001 had lived in places like Veracruz, Aguascalientes, GTO, Jalisco, Michoacán, & Querétaro – moved to Juárez to find jobs
Leads to local sense of alienation, lack of community.
Aguantar: to endure. Desmadre: w/o a mother
Demanding Accountability“Tearing down the walls upholding the
culture of impunity”Police do nothing; people assume they will
not be penalizedMexico economically dependent on outside $Casa Amiga fights back against globalization
and capitalism’s effects by:◦ Holding police accountable◦ Fighting against individualism by building
communityCulture of Solidarity: feminism and convivio
◦ “Feminist” label often leads to suspicion in Mexico
Lunchtime @ Casa Amiga: like “loaves and fishes”◦ Aliza Frame, American intern at Casa Amiga
Potluck styleBuilds commitment between the womenUnlike the US: “atomization,” individualism
◦ Neoliberal policy says that “fending for oneself” will lead to high profit margins (for the US corporations!)
ConclusionCasa Amiga = builds community
and a sense of balance between individual & community
When the community meets the needs of individuals, the individuals then owe some obligations to the community as a whole
Subtle ways of fighting the effects of globalization & the capitalist system
“New social consciousness”
Casa Amiga