Violence against young women in Mexico is reaching alarming levels, with 11.5% of femicide victims in the country being under 17 years old. In response to this worrying trend, the Naná Foundation and Mexicanos Primero have joined forces to address this issue and raise awareness among young women about violent behaviors in romantic relationships.
In many cases, aggressive behaviors have been normalized in romantic bonds, such as mocking comments, invading privacy by taking the phone without permission, or even manipulation through social media. To combat this problem, a strategy has been designed to sensitize students, teachers, and parents through educational talks in schools, with the aim of identifying and acting on the first warning signs.
According to the study "Violence in Dating", one in four women aged 15 to 19 has experienced violence in a relationship. During the year 2022, more than 5 women died every hour worldwide due to gender violence. In Latin America, and particularly in Mexico, the figures for femicides are alarming, with 12 women losing their lives daily.
The proposed strategy against toxic relationships includes the presentation of a questionnaire by Mexicanos Primero, which allows students to identify violent behaviors in a relationship. This questionnaire classifies those behaviors as "flags", whether yellow, orange, or red, in order to provide adolescents with guidance to recognize what is not normal in a romantic relationship. Situations such as asking for photos or the partner's location are considered "red flags" of alert.
Among the relevant data presented, it highlights that between 8% and 10% of adolescents are at risk of experiencing violence in their romantic relationships. Furthermore, it is mentioned that falling in love usually lasts between 2 months and a year, manifesting intensely. Likewise, it is noted that 32.3% of women aged 15 and older have suffered violence during their years of study, and that 60% of adolescent girls have been victims of sexual violence.
