Lawmaker requests gender violence alert

A state lawmaker called Governor Jaime Bonilla to declare a public alert regarding gender violence in Baja California.

Assemblywoman Julia Andrea González recalled had announced his intention days ago to request such alert.

In the last decade, violence against women in Baja California has increased disproportionately, and every day more victims are affected by physical and sexual violence as well as harassment and forced disappearance, González said.

The lawmaker observed the state’s cities are among the top 100 least safe for women. While Tijuana is No. 5, Mexicali is No. 38.

Five years ago the state received 14 recommendations regarding a potential gender violence alert. González said authorities responded with insufficient solutions like the creation of a Women’s Justice Center that opened in October without proper resources to serve the community.

The lawmaker indicated that failure to address gender-based violence has led to a society that kills, rapes, disables and abducts women and girls.

“What was allowed for over a decade in Baja California and what is lived in Mexico fills us of fear, pain and a lot of anger for not feeling free and secure,” González said. “Although the premise says women are at higher risk at home, today more than ever women and girls are under terrible risk at streets, workplaces and on the way to school.”

State reports indicate that 22 women have been murdered in the first 45 days of the year.