Gail Aguilar
Human Rights - Mexico (Caribbean, Mexico and Central America)
Gail’s project is focused on human rights abuses that have been committed against women in Chihuahua, Mexico. The area of Ciudad Juarez has been witness to a series of female homicides since 1993. It is estimated that around 350 women have disappeared or been assassinated, including five documented cases in 2005. Most of these women are aged between 17 and 25 years old. The Mexican government has taken actions to combat the problem but only 20% of these cases have been resolved. Gail and a team of lawyers are trying to bring justice and provide legal aid to the families of the victims.
Case Study: Women’s Rights in the Spotlight
Gail’s work is focused on bringing justice for human rights abuses that have been committed against women. Since 1993 there have been a series of female homicides in Ciudad Juarez. It is estimated that around 350 women have disappeared or been assassinated, including five documented cases in 2005. Most of these women are aged between 17 and 35 years old. There has been no legal action taken against the perpetrators of these crimes. Gail and a team of lawyers are trying to bring justice and provide legal aid to the families of the victims.
Gail works with ANAD, an organisation that uses law as an instrument to defend human rights. She has also worked closely with the organisation,‘Our Daughters to Return Home’, created by the mothers of the victims in Ciudad Juarez. ANAD is the first organisation that has provided legal help for the women in this city. Gail believes the lack of justice on this issue comes from the perception that women are inferior to men. It has created a fear mentality where women are too afraid to leave their homes to work or study. Gail hopes to change these attitudes and protect women’s rights.
One of the challenges Gail has faced has been maintaining constant contact with the mothers of the victims and informing them of all stages of the project. Gail is living in a different city to the women so most of the contact occurs via email or phone. Developing and maintaining close relationships with the women is a key aspect of the project. This enables the mothers to build confidence and put trust in Gail and her team, and to be more open and willing to share information. Dealing with the pain and loss of these women is very challenging emotionally, but also helps Gail to realise the importance of the work she is doing and the need to involve the women in this process.
Gail’s project aims to bring change at a local, national and international level. At a local level it is providing the mothers of the victims with legal protection and advice. It is equipping these women to fight for their rights by providing them with the necessary resources and knowledge. At a national level it is seeking to change the way the authorities respond to violations against women and to enforce this through government legislation. An accomplishment has been the presence of a representative from the Federal Government at a number of reunions. To bring international attention to this issue Gail has been working on a juridical document to send to the Human Rights Commission in Washington this year. By litigating cases of violations against women at an international level, Gail hopes to also catalyse change at a local and national level.
Gail wants to stop the violation of women’s rights occurring in Ciudad Juarez. This will include more investigations into the crimes against women and imposing stronger punishments for the perpetrators. Gail also believes that there needs to be reparations for the injustices committed. This could come in the form of economic compensation given to the mothers of the victims. Many of the families face social and economic difficulties, and financial help would have a significant impact on their lives. Gail is using her professional skills to develop a campaign that will bring justice and ensure that the victims of these crimes will not be forgotten.
“We believe that our action plan has an impact inside the community of Juarez City. It is a small step to draw attention to the government that we don’t want one more death, neither in Juarez nor in any other city in our country”.
Gail Aguilar, Mexico
