Women Of Juarez Projects

-Women of Juarez - Sinec 1993, more than 430 women and girls have been murdered with impunity in Ciudad Juarez, Mexico. Many were raped, and hideously mutilated. Hundreds more are missing. Women Beyond Borders works with Casa Amiga Crisis Center (the only rape crisis center in the city) to help address/stop this violence. In addition to providing the center with monetary support, we have implemented a Pepper Spray Project, distributing pepper spray and violence prevention literature for free to women in the community. We also began working with ALDEA, a small community organization committed to creating economic and educational opportunities for the women, men and children in their impoverished area. Previously, WBB provided the tiny community organization with much-needed funds, but has recently begun helping them develop a women’s handicaft cooperative which would allow the women of the community earn a living wage without leaving their children or the safety of their colonia. The handicraft center existed before WBB began working with Aldea, but the women faced many challenges including an inability to secure the funds needed to finish constructing the building, obtain necessary equipment, and develop highly marketable products. The women of ALDEA face a unique challenge among other craftspeople in developing areas of Mexico. Unlike many other handicraft centers in the country, whose artisans produce indigenous crafts that are widely renowned (if less thansuccessfully marketed), ALDEA‘s women are untrained migrants who relocated to this exploding border town looking for economic opportunities but found themselves stranded in a booming city with few prospects for gainful employment. WBB members have already made significant contributions to the construction of the center, as well the securing of needed sewing machines and supplies. The next step is to finish constructing the building, organize business, marketing and financial planning workshops to help the women mange the cooperative independently, and help them develop products that we would market in the Metro Phoenix area.