The Mexican government announced on Wednesday the creation of the national network of ‘Women’s Lawyers’ and 678 ‘Free Centers’ to address and prevent machista violence in the country, where an average of ten women are killed every day. The Secretary of Women of the Government, Citlalli Hernández, presented at the daily conference at the National Palace the call to recruit 838 lawyers to ‘litigate in all entities of the republic and accompany any need of women in the states.’
In indigenous areas, the focus will be on reviewing those women who speak an indigenous language, as they often do not have adequate defense for that reason. Hernández also reported an initial investment of 754.5 million pesos for the ‘Free Center for Women’ program throughout the country, where community networks, violence prevention services, psycho-emotional counseling, and legal advice will be provided.
The ‘Free Centers for Women’ will be spaces with comprehensive attention to promote women’s rights, boost their various autonomies, and prevent and address violence. These actions reflect the priorities of Mexico's first female president, Claudia Sheinbaum, whose initial reforms established the right to a life without violence, substantive gender equality, and the elimination of the wage gap and tax policies with a gender perspective.
Starting May 1, Line 079 will be available to assist women suffering from violence and provide support in emergencies. The head of the Secretariat of Women, a department created by Sheinbaum, also presented the call ‘Weavers of the Homeland,’ a national network to find 100,000 women who impact their community, defend rights, and promote them.
Within the next two months, 300 women’s assemblies will be held in communities, titled ‘Voices for Equality and Against Violence.’ On the other hand, the Secretary of Welfare, Ariadna Montiel, stated that more than 1.1 million people are already receiving the ‘Women’s Wellbeing Pension,’ created by the president to recognize the unpaid work of women aged 60 to 64, with a cumulative investment of five thousand 566.4 million pesos.
