Chihuahua, Mexico has taken a stand against violence against women by banning the performance of songs that promote violence against women in the city. Aiming to challenge the gender inequality and domestic violence that persists in the country, city officials have said that fines for non-compliance could reach upwards of US$74,000.
The law was unanimously approved by the city council on July 26, with Mayor Marco Bonilla saying that almost 70 percent of emergency calls to the city were related to domestic violence. He added that violence against women had reached a pandemic level in the city and that it was necessary to take a stand against it.
The new law prohibits the performance of songs that promote violence, discrimination, marginalization or exclusion of women. It will be enforced at events that require a city permit, with funds raised going to the Municipal Women’s Institute and a local women’s shelter.
In the state of Chihuahua, 24 gender-motivated murders were reported from January to June this year, and it remains to be seen how the law will be implemented. Music genres such as reggaeton and narcocorridos could be affected, with artists such as Bad Bunny and Peso Pluma possibly coming under fire for their lyrics.
The law comes a month after Mexican President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador criticized corridos tumbados for promoting violence and drug use. However, he also said he would not ban the genre.
The move by Chihuahua has been met with mixed reactions, with many praising the authorities for taking a stand against violence against women, while others have voiced concerns about freedom of speech.
Whether this new law will be a successful attempt at combatting gender inequality and domestic violence in Chihuahua remains to be seen. However, it is clear that Chihuahua has taken a bold step in its fight for gender equality.
With information from CNN
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