The march for women’s rights in Chapala advanced with the cry «The oppressor state is a male rapist.» Even children participated in the march.

Jazmín Stengel (Chapala).– More than 200 women who demonstrated on Tuesday, March 8, International Women’s Day, used the facade of the Chapala City Hall as a forum to expose the children of former public officials, teachers, among other aggressors of women in the municipality.

The march began after 8:00 p.m. and proceeded along Francisco I. Madero Avenue. Protesters closed the road at the intersection with Morelos Street and Hidalgo Avenue for a little more than ten minutes, and then went to the front of the City Hall.  Posters with feminist messages had been pasted on its façade starting two days earlier.

The government was publicly accused of covering up cases of abuse in the municipality: «I am here for those that my municipality wants to erase and silence. No more impunity!» said the protester.

There, different women, especially young women, spoke of cases of harassment, rape and violence committed by the children of former public officials, current public officials, teachers and private individuals, in order to publicize the names and thus avoid further harm to women.

«As long as there is no justice for the people there will be no peace for the government,» declared one of the signs of the young women protesters who on more than one occasion accused the government of protecting the aggressors. They also claimed they were ignored by the authorities when they filed complaints with the Public Prosecutor’s Office.

Children also expressed the desire for a better future, «I don’t want to grow up with fear» and «I will be the woman I want to be,» they said during the demonstration.

«I am here for those that my municipality wants to erase and silence. No more impunity!» and «What does a country that sows bodies reap?» read among some of the signs carried by the protesters.

«We are the cry of those who have no voice» said another poster, referring to the 13 women who have disappeared in our municipality.  An altar for these women was placed in a door to the building with the message «Sorry for the inconvenience, they are killing us.”

Tears accompanied the confessions; some told their stories for the first time.

Amid tears and shouts of encouragement such as «you are not alone» and «I believe you,» the women who dared to speak out told the tragic stories of the abuses they have suffered. Those who did not speak publicly shared their stories anonymously on the Instagram group @Isonomia.chapala.

The most important issues besides the accusations were the freedom to dress as they please and the insecurity to which women are exposed. «The length of my skirt does not define the respect I deserve,» wrote a protester. Signs read «Quiet mom today I’m not going home alone» and «I can’t die yet.» 

Peace and life were the main demands of the demonstration to the government: «What does a country reap when it sows bodies?”

Women were not alone in demanding their rights. Some were accompanied by men carrying with signs that read: «I like women and I don’t harass them.» 

The case of Chuyito was also presented.  This young boy suffered rape by his stepfather and physical and psychological violence until the day of his death. All women expressed their solidarity with this situation, demanding that the guilty be found and that the case not go unpunished.

Though the march was peaceful, a patrol of the Municipal Police and three state police were present at all times. Traffic police helped drivers who were not part of the demonstration to find an alternate route.

The women expressed their solidarity with Chuyito, a child who died from sexual, physical and psychological abuse. No one has been charged in the crime. 

Altar dedicated to the 13 women who disappeared in the municipality of Chapala, titled: «Sorry for the inconvenience, they are killing us.»

Translated by Elisabeth Shields