Spotlight Initiative in Mexico: potential direct benefit for more than 35 million women and girls
MEXICO CITY, Mexico - The Spotlight Initiative in Mexico held its 5th Country Steering Committee event on July 27. The session provided a chance to showcase some of the country’s most outstanding results after four years of work to eliminate violence against women and girls.
Results were presented across five areas: laws and policies, prevention, services, data and strengthening civil society and women’s movements. These results directly benefit more than 35 million women in Mexico.
They include three federal reforms, as well as 15 laws approved at the state level to strengthen the prevention and elimination of femicide; 59 knowledge products for public servants and civil society organizations (CSOs); and the strengthening of more than 40 CSOs and women's collectives in Chihuahua, the State of Mexico and Guerrero.
The programme’s Sustainability and Closure Plan was also approved in coordination with the Government of Mexico and the Civil Society Reference Group.
“It is undeniable that there is progress in Mexico in the fight to end violence against women, particularly femicide." - Ambassador of the Delegation of the European Union in Mexico, Gautier Mignot
Collective action
The Spotlight Initiative is a multi-stakeholder and multi-level alliance that works mainly with the National Commission to Prevent and Eradicate Violence against Women (CONAVIM), the National Women's Institute (INMUJERES), the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (SRE) and the Civil Society Reference Group, which has provided support and advice throughout the entire programme.
“[We are] delighted to be a part of the Spotlight Initiative. The work that we have carried out has been in the most strategic areas to guarantee and promote women's rights," said Head of CONAVIM Fabiola Alanís.
“We urgently call on all actors to continue joining efforts to put an end to all forms of violence against women. At the United Nations, we will continue to promote action based on the results and lessons we have learned from the Spotlight Initiative,” said UN Resident Coordinator in Mexico, Peter Grohmann.
“The Spotlight Initiative has taught us many lessons,” said Ambassador of the Delegation of the European Union in Mexico, Gautier Mignot. “It is undeniable that there is progress in Mexico in the fight to end violence against women, particularly femicide. We count on all the institutions to continue their work.”
Federal Deputy of the LXV Legislature of the Mexican Congress Aleida Alavez indicated that the Initiative's coordination had been critical to the advances made. “The support of the Spotlight Initiative has been very important because together, we have managed to generate the necessary consensus to carry out reforms in favour of women and girls in this country. Only by generating alliances and agreements can we continue advancing.”
"Civil society cannot do it alone. Let's generate inclusive strategies so that none of us is left behind.” - Mijane Jiménez, Mexico Civil Society Reference Group
Building knowledge and support for women’s rights
Several stakeholders indicated the value of working collectively to strengthen each other’s work and share knowledge.
“We are very happy with this alliance between the Spotlight Initiative and the federal, state and municipal governments, aimed at combating the structural causes of violence against women,” said President of INMUJERES, Nadine Gasman. “We will continue to use everything we have learned in our work.”
Mijane Jiménez from the Mexico Civil Society Reference Group also highlighted the need to move forward in a collaborative and inclusive manner: “We must continue making alliances to eliminate violence against women, because we in civil society cannot do it alone. Let's generate inclusive strategies, with an intersectional and intercultural approach, so that none of us is left behind.”
Head of the Office of the Undersecretariat for Multilateral Affairs and Human Rights, Eduardo Jaramillo, reiterated the need to sustain progress. “The rights of women and girls are not negotiable. We cannot take steps back. The fight against gender-based violence is an essential condition for a peaceful, prosperous, sustainable world.”
“We urgently call on all actors to continue joining efforts to put an end to all forms of violence against women." - UN Resident Coordinator in Mexico, Peter Grohmann
United Nations commitments
The global Spotlight Initiative to eliminate violence against women and girls is a United Nations initiative in partnership with the European Union and other partners.
Since 2019, the Spotlight Initiative has been implemented in Mexico by UN Women, the United Nations Sexual and Reproductive Health Agency (UNFPA), the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR), the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF).
“Throughout this time and hand in hand with allies, the programme has contributed to strategies, solutions and innovations that will always make it possible to provide an answer to women and girls. To each and all of you: my most sincere appreciation,” said Representative of UN Women Mexico, Belén Sanz.
“I endorse UNFPA's commitment to implement strategic actions that help women, girls and adolescents live a life free of violence and fully enjoy their rights. Thank you!” said UNFPA Mexico representative Alanna Armitage.
In the coming months, the programme will deliver its products and results to the Government of Mexico, state and municipal governments where the Initiative has been implemented, giving them the tools to sustain and scale up action for even greater impact.
The programme will conclude implementation in Mexico at the end of September and will continue carrying out sustainability and closure activities until December 2023.
By Eloísa Farrera
