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Mexican Women to March Against Gender Violence

Associated Press

   MEXICO CITY - Protests against gender violence in Mexico have
   intensified in recent years amid an increase in killings of women and
   girls. The killings are often accompanied by sexual assault and
   sometimes grisly mutilations. Women are expected to express their
   outrage in a march in Mexico City on Sunday, International Women's Day.
   Smaller demonstrations will be held across the country. Women and girls
   also plan to hold protests on Monday. Mexican women are being urged to
   skip school, shun housework and stay home from work to show the country
   what it's like to go one day without them.

   Why are they marching?

   Government statistics show that more than 10 females are slain on
   average every day in Mexico, making it one of the most dangerous
   countries in the world for girls and women. As recently as 2017, an
   average of seven women were killed each day in Mexico.

   "The context of violence against women and against girls in Mexico is
   especially grave," said Nira Cardenas, coordinator of the gender unit
   at the Office of the U.N. High Commissioner for Human Rights in Mexico.

   In addition to half the population being at high risk of violence,
   impunity is a major problem. Few reported crimes in Mexico result in
   convictions.

   Participation in the annual march on Sunday is expected to be higher
   than during previous marches as a broader swath of society joins the
   families of the killed and missing who frequently take to the streets,
   accompanied by feminists and activists.