Mexico

SPANISH VERSION: A shadow report released by the National WHRD Network in Mexico and presented at the 52nd Session of the CEDAW Committee, confirms that within Latin America, Mexico ranks first in attacks against journalists and second in attacks against women defenders. There has been an alarming increase in violence against women human rights defenders in Mexico.

Margarita Martinez, a women human rights defender gives a statement describing her experience of violence at the 52nd Session of the CEDAW Committee.

A shadow report released by the National WHRD Network in Mexico and presented at the 52nd Session of the CEDAW Committee, which confirms that within Latin America, Mexico ranks first in attacks against journalists and second in attacks against women defenders. There has been an alarming increase in violence against women human rights defenders in Mexico.

Mexico is facing a major human rights and humanitarian crisis. More than 150,000 women, men and children have been killed and thousands more disappeared and displaced since December 2006 when the “war on drugs” was launched. The gendered aspects of this growing crisis remain mostly invisible as both human rights organizations and governments have difficulty understanding the mix of private and public dynamics shaping crimes against women and the unique vulnerability of women activists.