Mexican women are besieged by femicide and gender violence

Fifteen years ago, EL UNIVERSAL published a number released by the INEGI : 44% of Mexican women over 15 years old, and who are in a relationship, suffer some type of violence . In 2019, on the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women , the INEGI released the following information: 43.9% of women over 15 years old, who are or have been in a relationship, have been attacked by their partners.

In the last 15 years, nothing has changed: threats , physical violence , and mistreatment against women only decreased by 1% but in reality, this number translates into no changes.

In contrast, in regards to femicide , in 2018 Mexico registered at least 3,752 cases; this is the highest number since 1990. On average, at least 10 women were murdered every day.

Since the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women was established in 1999, in order to raise awareness and promote positive changes in the lives of women yet things haven't changed.

A few days ago, EL UNIVERSAL revealed that this alarming situation is also present in other countries. For example, in the U.S. , one in every four women over 18 have been victims of violence . In Spain , between 10% and 12.5%of women over 16 have suffered physical or sexual violence at the hands of their current or former partners. In Central American countries , the problem is quite serious. Between 2002 and 2019, Honduras has registered 6,205 femicides ; El Salvador registered 2,673 femicides between 2013 and 2019, and in Guatemala , there have been at least 1,532 femicides between 2013 and 2018.

This year, feminist groups have protested against gender violence in Mexico City , especially after several sexual harassment cases were revealed. Feminists have all the right reasons to protest and be angry, as women have been besieged by different types of gender violence for years.

Mexican women are besieged by femicide and gender violence

Just last week, a woman was removed from the Modern Art Museum for breastfeeding her baby after security personnel argued that this was forbidden. In regards to labor and economy , women are also at a disadvantage .

In the last 19 years, things have worsened for women ; therefore, it is time to review certain mechanisms, such as making it easier to file a lawsuit , punish crime , and protect the victims . If these three actions can't be fulfilled by the government , they only thing left to do is protest.

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