Ms Daniela Philipson1
1Monash University, Australia
Biography:
Daniela Philipson Garcia is a third-year Ph.D. Candidate in Politics and International Relations at Monash University and is affiliated with the Centre of Excellence for the Elimination of Violence Against Women (CEVAW). Her doctoral research examines the effects of militarisation on violence against women. Her interests include feminist security studies, political economy, and feminist foreign policy.
Abstract:
Mexico's "War on Drugs" has intensified militarization since 2006, aiming to dismantle drug cartels and reduce violence. This article argues that this approach has not only failed to curb violence but has also exacerbated security risks for women and marginalized groups. By prioritizing military spending, limited resources are diverted from social programs, leaving women vulnerable to increased violence and restricted access to essential services. This research examines how militarization has deepened structural inequalities and exacerbated structural violence against women in Guanajuato and the Yucatán Peninsula, two regions facing distinct security challenges. Based on 70+ interviews conducted between March and May 2024 with buscadoras (women searching for missing loved ones), women's rights, LGBTQ+, and Mayan activists, this article employs a comparative case study approach to analyse the differential impacts of militarization on women in these diverse contexts. Overall, I find that Mexico's War on Drugs and resulting militarization are inadequate to address the lived realities of security concerns of Mexican women and marginalized groups. Moreover, military-based strategies are counterproductive to addressing and reducing violence, including gender-based violence.