National Guard in Zacatecas/Violence Against Women Rises
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National Guard in Zacatecas/Violence Against Women Rises

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Paloma Duran By Paloma Duran | Journalist and Industry Analyst - Thu, 11/25/2021 - 09:55

Intentional homicide increases in Zacatecas. Minister of National Defense Luis Sandoval reported that intentional homicide has followed an upward trend in Zacatecas. In addition, Sandoval said that Fresnillo, Guadalupe and Zacatecas are the municipalities with the highest incidence. He added that 2,187 security personnel have been sent to the municipalities to improve the situation. “Considering the number of intentional homicides during the current administration, the state ranks 15th. However, if we consider this same type of crime for every 100,000 inhabitants, the state ranks fifth. As cases increase, the government and military have strengthened their forces to provide better protection."

Currently, Zacatecas ranks fifth nationwide for homicides. In October, a total of 107 cases were reported, bringing the figure to 948 intentional homicides in 2021. According to the authorities, the increase in cases is due to organized crime in the state, for which the government announced it is also strengthening forces to combat the main criminal groups in the state.

Nine municipalities in Zacatecas are without police. Sandoval said that a detailed analysis found that nine municipalities in Zacatecas were without police elements. As a result, it was decided that the National Guard will monitor these municipalities, while the Army will install checkpoints to stop criminal activities. "One of the agreements that was determined at the security table is to reinforce these municipalities with National Guard members. We seek to protect citizens and stop the activities of criminal groups that operate in the state."

The municipalities that will now be monitored by the National Guard are Apulco, Loreto, Monte Escobedo, Cuauhtemoc, Mazapil, Tepetongo, Villa Garcíi, Villa Hidalgo and Melchor Ocampo. The authorities announced that the goal of the measure was to improve state security, especially since the incidence of homicides, extortion and assaults has increased exponentially.

Violence toward women. On the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women, Minister of Security and Citizen Protection Rosa Icela Rodríguez said that the government is working to ensure that violence against women is prevented, addressed, punished and eradicated. “Violence is not normal or natural. We have to educate people to eradicate machismo and misogyny. We do not aspire to confrontation but to dialogue and respect. The fight continues every day and we are committed to promoting and enforcing the laws. The task is not small or easy, but we are moving forward together.”

In Mexico, violence against women continues to increase. Between January and October, 842 femicides were reported, an increase of 4.9 percent compared to the same period in 2020. According to the UN, Mexico is one of the most dangerous countries to be a woman, with an average of 10 femicides per day. However, this figure is believed to be higher because not all cases are reported.

AMLO: Women benefit the most from social programs. President Andrés Manuel López Obrador stressed that the government continues to establish social programs to combat gender violence in Mexico and that, in fact, women have benefited the most from social programs in general. “The commitment to women is to protect them, not to leave them in danger. We have dedicated our work to defending and protecting the humble, the dispossessed, women, widows, orphans and we plan to continue to do so."

This year, the Chamber of Deputies analyzed the 102 social programs that have been promoted by federal agencies and found that only 28 percent promote the empowerment of women. The Chamber explained that there are several programs that seek gender equality but only few have a true impact. Likewise, the Chamber highlighted that there are programs whose impacts cannot be measured, making it necessary to restructure them and implement better indicators.

Photo by:   Gobierno de México

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