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

The migration crisis in Mexico continues to raise alarms, particularly regarding the gender-based violence faced by migrant women and girls. A recent report from the Danish Refugee Council (DRC) has highlighted that women in irregular migration situations are targets of multiple forms of sexual violence, both on their journey to the country and during their stay there. This situation has been analyzed in a study conducted in various locations, including Tapachula, Reynosa, and Matamoros, between July and September 2023. The research reveals that a shocking 19.6% of respondents identified gender-based violence as a determining factor in their decision to flee their countries of origin. This figure rises to 23.9% when focusing the analysis exclusively on women, underscoring the disproportionate impact this phenomenon has on them. As the context of migration is examined more deeply, it becomes evident that sexual and gender-based violence is a factor that not only causes suffering but also drives forced displacement. Testimonies collected in Tapachula reveal a bleak picture. Many migrant women have reported mistreatment and abuse by border authorities, calling into question the safety of those seeking refuge and a better life. The accounts include cases of inappropriate touching by Mexican police, highlighting the vulnerability of these women to those who are supposed to guarantee their safety. In addition to the violence experienced during transit, the report highlights that 43.8% of respondents in Mexico have experienced violence during their stay, with 14.3% of these experiences classified as sexual and gender-based violence. The identification of authorities as one of the main perpetrators of these incidents is particularly concerning, as it indicates a failure in the system that should protect the most vulnerable. The situation is even more critical for those who have been victims of kidnapping. Some women have shared that, after being unable to pay the demanded sum for their release along with their children, they have been subjected to sexual abuse, illustrating the intersection of gender-based violence with human trafficking and extortion. Another factor exacerbating this crisis is the precariousness in which many of these women live. The lack of formal employment and inadequate housing conditions, coupled with the absence of adequate assistance services, create an atmosphere of constant fear and stress. A troubling 68.5% of respondents believe that gender-based violence is an imminent risk in their daily lives. The report also notes that sexual violence is not an isolated phenomenon, but rather manifests within a broader context of power imbalance. Threats of extortion by authorities and forced recruitment by criminal groups are just some of the multiple forms of violence faced by migrants, further aggravating their situation of vulnerability. In a context where migration flows to Mexico have changed significantly, the DRC highlights that over 200,000 people in irregular migration situations were processed by Mexican authorities between July and August of this year. This figure is a clear indicator of the increasing pressure on the country's migration system and the urgent need for effective responses to address the crisis. U.S. authorities, for their part, have reported a decrease in irregular arrivals, which could be related to changes in federal immigration policies. However, this should not divert attention from the critical situation faced by migrants in Mexico, where gender-based violence stands as one of the main threats. The fight for the protection of migrant women and girls cannot be ignored. The humanitarian crisis they find themselves in requires a coordinated response that addresses not only security conditions but also the underlying causes of forced displacement. The international and national community must unite to ensure that those seeking refuge and a dignified life can do so without fear of suffering violations of their fundamental rights.