•RISE: The number of women killed in Mexico because of their gender increased 5.4% during the first seven months of 2020 when compared to the same period last year reaching a total of 566 according to new figures released by Mexico’s national public security system (SESNSP).
•STATES: Known as femicide, the murder of women because of their gender is a specific criminal offense in Mexico and the new data shows it has increased in 17 of 32 Mexican states this year. The country is on track to surpass last year’s record number of 1,010.
•BUDGET: Amid drastic austerity measures stemming from the coronavirus downturn, the López Obrador administration has reduced budgets for women issues including a cut of the equivalent of US $6.8 million to Mexico’s National Institute of Women (INMUJERES).
•PROTESTS: Just days before the coronavirus pandemic settled in, hundreds of thousands of women participated in historic protests across Mexico demanding a stop to gender violence. On March 9th, large sectors of the Mexican economy stopped due to nationwide women strike.
