CIUDAD JUAREZ, Mexico — A Juárez artist and activist is discovering a strategy to merge activism, trend and artwork collectively in order to deliver consciousness to the problem of violence in opposition to girls in Juárez, and she or he’s getting nationwide consideration for it.
“We created this affiliation to see a change in the lives of different girls, however the precept motive for it was to create safe job areas and in addition to take a position in the event of the private expertise of the ladies which can be working with us,” mentioned Janette Terrazas, Co-Founding father of the Nonprofit Group, ‘Ni En Extra’ which comes from the mix of Spanish, Norwegian and English phrases which means “Not One Extra.”
Terrazas, together with artists Lise Bjorne Linnert (Oslo, Norway) and Human Rights activist Veronica Corchado (Juárez, Mexico) had been impressed to create ‘Ni En Extra’ to empower girls in Juárez by their garment manufacturing.
All three girls had been motivated by the poetry of Susana Chávez Castillo, who protested the fixed murders in opposition to girls in Juárez —earlier than changing into a sufferer herself in 2011.
“We’re protesting in opposition to the violence in opposition to girls as a result of we all know that it’s one thing that’s rooted in our tradition,” mentioned Terrazas.
The group at the moment staff about 15 girls that come from many various financial and cultural backgrounds. The entire merchandise that the ladies from ‘Ni En Extra’ make are offered and the revenue that they obtain is given to the ladies which can be working in this system in order to permit them to to take a position in their neighborhood.
“Right here, each particular person that’s working is aware of tips on how to reduce. They know tips on how to make patterns and so they know tips on how to sew entire items. It takes 60 hours to make one garment,” mentioned Terrazas.
The organizations one in every of a sort flower attire had been not too long ago featured in Vogue journal on-line. The images had been taken in El Paso proper in entrance of the Franklin Mountains.
For Terrazas, empowering girls in her neighborhood is one thing she is proud to do.
“We create consciousness for the method of manufacturing and in addition for paying honest jobs for the manufacturing of the items we create. I feel one of many philosophies that we’ve got is to create pleased areas for everybody to allow them to come right here and really feel safe,” mentioned Terrazas.
She hopes that making a protected work place for girls in her neighborhood will assist encourage them to grow to be extra economically empowered.
“As a result of when girls are economically empowered they may make selections to assist them create a greater life. They’ve extra choices to maneuver from the abuse or violence that they’re dwelling in now,” mentioned Terrazas.