katiedid: Who's That Lady - Mothers of Ciudad Juarez

I first learned of the extreme, drug-related violence in Ciudad Juarez while in college. Recently, Juarez has just re-entered the collective conscious of the U.S. due to the recent the murders of U.S. families and a consular employee by suspected drug gangsters. While I gravitate toward women who have gained fame for the actions, I can't deny the incredible strength of everyday women just like those in Ciudad Juarez.

Here are the facts:

It's believed that 400 women and girls have been murdered and more than 70 remain missing in Ciudad Juarez and Chihuahua, Mexico (Amnesty International).

Exact numbers of those missing and dead still remain somewhat of a mystery.

Many of the victims look chillingly similar: young, slim, dark complexion, shoulder-length hair, and poor daughters of the working class (NPR, 2003).

Many victims disappear on their way to work in the maquiladora industry

Mothers of vicitms have been featured in numerous news articles describing the extreme angst they feel from not knowing what has become of their daughters.

Every type of homicide against women is common in the city, especially sexual- and drug-related killings (NPR, 2003).

Families of victims do not believe that the murderers will ever be identified as they are believe to be the elite members of the city in powerful government and law enforcement positions.