Letter

806 Homero11550 México D.F.

Mars 8, 2008

President Felipe de Jesús Calderón HinojosaLos PinosMéxico D.F.México

Dear President Calderón,

I write in advance International Women’s Day. The 8th Mars is an occasion marked by women’s groups around the world, the United Nations, and States to reaffirm that investing in women and girls is one of the best investments governments can make. I urge you to improve the highest human rights standards and that our nation is committed morally, politically and financially and to express your commitment to the defense of women’s rights.

In Mexico, women and girls continue to face epidemic levels of violence that cuts across all social groups, ethnicities, and socioeconomic classes. Violence against women and girls is a human rights violation that includes rape, feminicide, domestic violence, human trafficking and other harmful practices. Violence against women remained endemic in many states and the campaign for justice for the women of Ciudad Juárez and Chihuahua City continued. Several journalists were killed. Human rights defenders and political opponents in some states remained at risk of harassment or unfounded criminal prosecutions. Measures to prosecute those responsible for systematic human rights violations in previous decades failed. Indigenous women in several states continued to face discrimination including in access to basic services, such as health care and education.

Mr. President, you have a historic opportunity to ensure a systematic approach for ending the suffering of millions of women and girls. As you address the nation, I encourage you to persevere in your advocacy and funding to end the violence in Ciudad Juárez and Chihuahua City. I ask you to stand for women everywhere by supporting the International Violence Against Women Campaign and by taking concrete actions. I urge you to be a voice for human rights defenders in Mexico and a consistent advocate for human dignity and human rights of women and of all Mexicans.

Cordially,

Ana Güezmes