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Mexico: Discrimination against women is on the rise

In Mexico, women often face discrimination, harassment, and extreme violence such as sexual abuse and femicide

Hundreds of women protest in Mexico City the murders of women in the northern city of Ciudad Juarez, Monday, Nov. 25, 2002 - Photo: Ismael Rojas/AP
01/03/2020 |09:25
Redacción El Universal
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The fact that the majority of complaints filed at the C ouncil to Prevent and Eradicate Discrimination ( Conapred ) are filed by is a worrying situation. In 2019, by every complaint file a man, two others were filed by women; in total, reported 229 complaints, while men reported 115.

Among all the cases investigated by the Conapred , the most common act is firing women for being pregnant ; a fifth of the complaints was reported by pregnant women , followed by health and disability . Moreover, the fourth cause of discrimination is gender , as 8.8% filed reports after being rejected just for their gender, in a time when politicians, businesses, NGOs, and the feminist movement are fighting for equality . According to Conapred, against women increased by 0.59% in 2019.

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Other factors behind include gender identity , sexual orientation , legal condition, physical appearance, and age. Nevertheless, it is interesting that there were no complaints of discrimination for , and political or religious ideology , perhaps because those who suffered discrimination decided not to report it to authorities.

Although the Conapred can not sanction people, it can lead a conciliation process, issue recommendations, and create a negative report of those people, companies, institutions, and NGOs that discriminate, which could have economic and l egal consequences .

Many of the discrimination acts take place at , which is handled by local Conciliation and Arbitration committees, that have faculties to issue sanctions; however, it is necessary to strengthen the measures against , as well as the sanctions against those who promote discrimination.

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