Ciudad Juarez, Chih. The maquila industry in Ciudad Juarez not only represents an economic model but also a reality profoundly shaped by the work of women. For decades, women have been the productive engine of this border city, facing significant challenges in terms of inequality, security, and work-life balance.
Mayor Highlights Women’s Crucial Role
This was emphasized by Mayor Cruz Pérez Cuéllar during his participation in the forum “Women, Maquilas, and Institutional Transformation with a Gender Perspective.” The event, organized by the Municipal Commission for Women and Gender Equality, featured presentations by Bertha Elena Luján Uranga and Martha Miker Palafox.
During his address, the mayor acknowledged the organizing commission’s commitment to women’s issues and commended the speakers for fostering dialogue that contributes to institutional transformation with a gender perspective.
Pérez Cuéllar stressed that to speak of Ciudad Juarez is to speak of women, who have been fundamental to the city’s development by supporting households, strengthening the maquiladora industry, and actively participating in social change processes.
He underscored that such forums are crucial for reflecting on the importance of incorporating a gender perspective into the design of public policies, the distribution of resources, and the protection of those who sustain the local economy. “From the municipal government, we are clear: there is no just city without women involved in its decisions,” he stated.
Advancements in Political Life and Labor Conditions
Bertha Luján Uranga spoke about the advancements women have made in the country’s political life, highlighting the opening of spaces and the importance of continuing to strengthen their rights.
Meanwhile, Martha Miker Palafox, a researcher at El Colegio de la Frontera Norte, discussed the labor conditions of women in the maquiladora industry. She also emphasized the need to promote actions for the prevention of violence and greater female participation in public life.
The forum was also attended by Rubí Enríquez, president of the System for the Integral Development of the Family (DIF) in the municipality of Juarez; María Teresa Delgado, vice president of Index Juarez; and the Municipal Commission for Women and Gender Equality, coordinated by Martha Patricia Mendoza Rodríguez, and composed of councilwomen Sandra Marbel Valenzuela Martínez and Gloria Rocío Mirazo de la Rosa.
The event underscores the ongoing efforts in Ciudad Juarez to recognize and empower women, addressing the challenges they face while leveraging their significant contributions to the local economy and society.
