A Mexican city has decided to ban live music that may be degrading or discriminating against women amid an increase in violence against women.
The city of Chihuahua, Mexico, voted to ban musical performances which may contain misogynistic lyrics, Chihuahua Mayor Marco Bonilla said in a Facebook video. He described the increase in violence against women as being a “pandemic.”
“Imagine that almost seven out of every 10 calls we receive on 911, unfortunately, are related to family violence, and very particularly against women,” Bonilla told the outlet. “We cannot allow it and we cannot allow it to be normalized.”
“Chihuahua is one of the five municipalities in the state with a Gender Alert, declared due to high rates of structural violence against #women. Any action that contributes to eradicating these circumstances counts.” Patricia Ulate#Mexicohttps://t.co/WBmQHRylGa
— FiLiA (@FiLiA_charity) July 29, 2023
In his video from July 26, Bonilla said the new law bans songs with lyrics that “promote violence against women” or denigrate, discriminate against, or attempt to marginalize women.
Those found to violate this law could be fined anywhere from 674,000 to 1.2 million pesos, or roughly between $39,000 and $71,000, Bonilla explained in the video.
Bonilla explained lyrics that denigrate, discriminate, or promote violence against women end up preventing women from being seen as a “human being full of virtues” and ends up sexualizing them.
Fines from violators will go towards women who have been victims of sexual assault or rape and to restoration violence prevention programs,” Bonilla said. The fines will also go towards helping the women, their daughters, and their children.
Narcocorridos and corridos tumbados are two kinds of music that involve the denigration or discrimination of women. Corridos tumbados has received backlash over the promotion of drug use and violence in songs, according to Mexico News Daily.
Chihuahua Councilwoman Patricia Ulate spearheaded the movement to reform the Regulation of Amusements and Public Shows, according to the outlet.