Migration crisis in Mexico: women and girls face alarming gender-based violence.

The migration crisis in Mexico has intensified in recent months, and the consequences for women and girls in displacement are alarming. A recent report from the Danish Refugee Council (DRC), supported by the European Union's Humanitarian Aid Agency (ECHO) and the U.S. State Department, reveals that migrants passing through or present in Mexico face a significant risk of gender-based violence, particularly women and girls. This situation raises serious concerns about the safety and protection of migrants in a country that already faces deep challenges in managing its humanitarian crisis. The assessment, based on interviews conducted between July and September 2023 in locations such as Tapachula, Reynosa, and Matamoros, highlights that gender-based violence is a considerable factor driving many people to leave their home countries. Of the 248 people interviewed, 19.6% identified gender-based violence as one of the main reasons for their displacement, and this figure rises to 23.9% when considering only women. Violence in its various forms, ranging from physical abuse to sexual assault, thus becomes a lethal push toward dangerous migration routes. Solo migrant women, who are often the most vulnerable during the journey, have reported heartbreaking experiences of abuse, even at the hands of the authorities meant to protect them. In Tapachula, there were reports of mistreatment and theft by border officials, highlighting the betrayal of trust that migrants should be able to place in law enforcement. The climate of impunity and the lack of effective mechanisms to report these abuses perpetuate a cycle of violence that dehumanizes those already in vulnerable situations. The report also emphasizes that violence does not cease once migrants cross into Mexican territory. A shocking 43.8% of respondents stated that a member of their household had experienced violence during their stay in Mexico, with 14.3% of these incidents classified as sexual and gender-based violence. The presence of criminal groups and the ongoing violation of rights by authorities exacerbate this issue. Economic precariousness and lack of access to basic services contribute to an environment of fear and stress for these groups. The majority of respondents, 68.5%, identified gender-based violence as a constant risk in their daily lives. The lack of formal employment and inadequate living conditions not only generates anxiety but also forces many women to accept living conditions that put them in danger, such as sexual abuse in exchange for protection or resources. Furthermore, the DRC notes that sexual violence can manifest in various forms, including physical violence in intimate relationships and harassment by traffickers or armed groups. This diversity of experiences illustrates the complexity of the migration phenomenon, where gender-based violence is not an isolated fact but is intertwined with other forms of exploitation and abuse that also affect male and child migrants. But gender-based violence is not only a problem for women on the move; it also extends to men and boys, who suffer sexual violence in the migration context. Although less documented, this reality should not be ignored, as it also reflects a pattern of inequality and abuse of power that permeates migration dynamics. The situation is further complicated by the context of changing migration policies. More than 200,000 people in irregular migration situations were processed by Mexican authorities between July and August, evidencing the constant increase of migrants seeking safety and opportunities. Meanwhile, in the United States, there has been a significant decrease in the arrival of migrants, attributed to changes in asylum procedures. This disparity reveals the difficulties that migrants face in their pursuit of protection, while exacerbating the humanitarian crisis in the region. Undoubtedly, the migration crisis in Mexico is not only a challenge for public policy but also a human rights issue that demands urgent attention. The gender-based and sexual violence faced by migrant women and girls serves as a reminder of the need for more effective and compassionate responses from authorities, as well as from the international community. The protection of migrants must be a priority, not only to ensure their safety but also to preserve their dignity as human beings in search of a better life.