Political Will Needed for Femicide Law, Activists Say

Ciudad Juárez, a city long plagued by femicides and disappearances, is at the forefront of a renewed push for legislative action against gender-based violence. Civil society organizations have persistently advocated for changes to femicide laws, seeking justice for victims.

Claudia Sheinbaum, the president, recently submitted a General Law initiative to the Congress of the Union. This proposal seeks to ensure zero impunity by harmonizing investigation methods and penalties for femicide across the country. For organizations in Chihuahua, the law's passage could significantly reduce femicidal violence and bring justice.

Yadira Cortés Castillo of the Red Mesa de Mujeres in Ciudad Juárez stressed that while the national law is crucial, Chihuahua must also align its own legislation, allocate sufficient resources, and strengthen investigative institutions. "The approval of a law will not be enough if it is not accompanied by political will, budget, specialized training, and concrete actions to combat impunity," she stated.

According to the president's office, the law aims to eradicate femicide through prevention, attention, education, and fostering equality and dignity. It defines femicide as the act of taking a woman's life for gender-based reasons, outlining 10 specific gender-related motives and 19 aggravating factors that can increase penalties.