Bilingual Newsletter


Hilda Solis: Leading justice for the women of Juárez

More than twelve years have passed and the violence in Ciudad Juárez and Chihuahua City, Mexico has not ended. Since 1993 more than 370 young women and girls have been murdered in these cities—at least a third suffering sexual violence—while authorities did nothing to investigate and address the issue. Though the Mexican government has taken measures to discuss the issue, violence continues, and more women disappear and cannot be found.

Southern California Congresswoman Hilda Solis (D-CA) is a leader in the effort of bringing awareness to issue in Juárez and Chihuahua.

When she first learned about the murders more than two years ago, she led a Congressional Delegation to the area with three other Members of Congress. The delegation met with various organizations, family members of the murdered women, and Mexican officials—including municipal, state and federal government—to bring light to the issue. “The trip was especially important because it gave Members an opportunity to speak with the victim’s families and visit the various neighborhoods where many murdered women have been found,” she said.

In addition to the delegation, under Solis’ leadership, Congress continues to press for action. In November 2003, she introduced a bi-partisan bill, which was recently reintroduced by Solis and Senator Bingaman, calling on the United States and Mexico to work together to find an end to the violence. “The Congressional Caucus on Women’s Issues will keep a close eye on this bi-national situation and place this issue on the forefront in its priorities for the 109th Congress,” she said. “I am hopeful that the resolution will be passed in this Congress and that the U.S. government will continue to help put an end to these human rights violations.”

Hilda remains motivated and committed to this issue. “I understand the influence of these murders on many families living in both the U.S. and Mexico. In fact, I have constituents in my district whose family member was allegedly tortured and is still in prison in the State of Chihuahua. I am very concerned about the impact of this violence against Latinos, especially since many Latinos have family members living in Mexico.”

Solis encourages everyone to contact their Member of Congress and urge them to support the new resolution. “It is extremely important for Members of Congress to know their constituents are concerned about the violence against women in Juárez and for members to go through diplomatic means to find justice for the families, women and people of Juárez and Chihuahua.”

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