Femicide in Mexico: 12 women killed every day; this is what dating violence is like

In Mexico, more than 12 women are victims of femicide every day , but that figure could be incomplete, because it only counts deaths that were classified as femicides, as revealed by the study Violence in Dating from a School Perspective.

In addition, the study, presented on Tuesday, February 25, by the organization Mexicanos Primero and Fundación Naná , reveals that 1 in 4 women aged 15 to 19 who have had a partner have experienced violence in their relationship.

And it warns that adolescent girls have an 8-10% higher risk than adult women of suffering gender-based violence and dating violence.

In light of this, the study points out that it is important to understand the main warning signs of a situation of violence, such as:

• The need for control by the partner, over any area of ​​the victim's personal life.
• Jealousy.
• Disrespect for consent or autonomy in any of its forms.
• The couple that is unrecognizable or changes mood very frequently.

Research indicates that the first signs of violence usually appear between two and 12 months after the beginning of a relationship, when the honeymoon phase ends.

And that violence does not usually range from zero to 100, nor does it occur constantly throughout the entire relationship, but rather is interspersed with moments of calm and reconciliation.

This makes it very difficult to detect, both for its victims and for their environment and support network, he says.

“ One in four adolescent women , aged 15 to 19, who has had a partner, has experienced violence in their relationship.

“In 2022, more than 5 women died every hour worldwide at the hands of their partners (men).

“ Latin America is the region in the world with the highest rates of gender violence and femicides.

“ In Mexico alone, more than 12 women die every day from femicide , although that figure may be incomplete, because it only includes deaths that have already been classified as femicides,” the publication states.

Patricia Vázquez, executive president of Mexicanos Primero, explained that the detection and prevention of violence in school environments is an urgent matter, especially for educational authorities at all levels and modalities.

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“Students need tools to help them detect violence in their personal relationships.

"Authorities and responsible figures must guarantee them support networks and care mechanisms with an absolute human rights perspective," he acknowledged.

The study indicates that it is essential that schools, as spaces for training and coexistence, assume a leading role in the prevention and early detection of dating violence.

To achieve this, it is necessary to implement comprehensive strategies that include education with a gender and human rights perspective, teacher training, raising awareness among families and creating clear protocols to address cases of violence.

Ximena Céspedes, president of the Naná Foundation, highlighted the importance of education and awareness-raising to prevent violence in relationships from adolescence.

She explained that the foundation is aimed at adolescents, but also speaks to parents, teachers, school nursing staff , therapists and everyone around young people, both victims of violence and those who exercise it.

During the opening event of the First Latin American Summit of Women Digital Defenders, activist Olimpia Coral Melo pointed out that there are currently more than 2 million markets for sexual exploitation of girls and women globally.

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For her part, the Secretary for Women, Citlalli Hernández Mora, demanded the collaboration of companies and virtual platforms to prevent digital violence against women.

He also indicated that, in addition to creating laws, it is necessary for digital spaces to apply tools to detect and combat violence, since, he said, the economic and business component behind digital violence is undeniable.

Speaking to women digital defenders from Argentina, Colombia, Ecuador, Guatemala, Bolivia, Honduras, Panama and El Salvador, Hernández Mora said that their struggle has made digital violence visible.