Semar and SeMujeres sign agreement to prevent gender violence in the Navy.

MEXICO CITY (apro) - The Secretariats of the Navy (Semar) and Women's Affairs (SeMujeres) signed an agreement to train Mexican Navy personnel on substantive equality, non-discrimination, prevention of harassment and sexual harassment, as well as the review of protocols for assisting victims of violence.

In December 2019, Proceso documented the case of "Claudia," an English teacher who was the victim of harassment, rape, and re-victimization within the Semar (National Security Service), then under the command of Admiral Rafael Ojeda.

In November 2021, the weekly also documented the case of Mary, who was sexually assaulted and re-victimized after reporting the crime, and her attacker was sentenced. However, these cases are not the only ones that have put the Mexican armed forces in the spotlight for assaulting women.

This Thursday, the secretariat headed by Citlalli Hernández Mora announced the signing of the agreement, the purpose of which is to "strengthen inter-institutional actions that guarantee substantive equality and women's right to a life free from violence."

Together with the head of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Security (SEMAR), Admiral Raymundo Pedro Morales Ángeles, he added that the intention is also to establish a joint work plan that will allow for the incorporation of a gender perspective into the planning of the former's budgetary exercise.

It also involves promoting the dissemination of the "Women's Rights Booklet" through the First Contact Medical Care Program in hard-to-reach areas.

In her turn, Morales Ángeles emphasized that the department she oversees will promote training and education in substantive equality, non-discrimination, prevention of harassment and sexual harassment, as well as a review of protocols for assisting victims of violence.

The agreement requires SeMujeres personnel to train Semar personnel in the prevention of sexual harassment, substantive equality, and non-discrimination.

It also includes the review and updating of protocols for assisting victims of gender-based violence in workplaces and academic settings, the implementation of ongoing gender-based violence prevention campaigns, and the formation of a joint working group between both ministries.

With these actions, the secretariats committed to strengthening the institutional framework that guarantees women's equal participation in all areas of public life.