Mexico Fortifies Care for Survivors of Sexual Violence – Mexico Business News

Report on Mexico’s Health Sector Response to Gender-Based Violence in Alignment with Sustainable Development Goals

1.0 Introduction: Addressing Gender-Based Violence as a Public Health Imperative

In observance of the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women, Mexico’s Ministry of Health has reported significant advances in its institutional response to sexual violence. These efforts are critical to achieving Sustainable Development Goal 5 (Gender Equality) and Sustainable Development Goal 3 (Good Health and Well-being). The prevalence of violence remains a significant challenge, with national data indicating that seven out of ten women in Mexico have experienced violence. This public health crisis directly impedes progress on the 2030 Agenda by increasing risks of unintended pregnancies, sexually transmitted infections, and depression among survivors.

2.0 Strengthening Institutional Frameworks for Justice and Health (SDG 16 & SDG 5)

The Ministry of Health is reinforcing its commitment to SDG 16 (Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions) by developing effective and accountable policies to protect women and girls. This involves a multi-faceted approach grounded in human rights, gender equality, and reproductive justice.

2.1 Criteria for Comprehensive Care

A key development is the establishment of Mexico’s “Criteria for Comprehensive Care of Sexual Abuse and Assault.” This policy provides clear guidelines to ensure the health sector’s response aligns with SDG Target 5.2 (Eliminate all forms of violence against all women and girls). Core principles of this framework include:

• Ensuring medical attention is respectful, timely, and sensitive.
• Implementing procedures that actively avoid the revictimization of survivors.
• Upholding a survivor’s right to report, clarifying it is not an obligation for receiving care.
• Prohibiting administrative delays in the provision of immediate treatment.
• Mandating that health personnel prioritize care over the verification of claims.

3.0 Enhancing Access to Comprehensive Sexual and Reproductive Health Services (SDG 3)

Mexico is taking concrete steps to guarantee universal access to sexual and reproductive health-care services, a cornerstone of SDG Target 3.7. The strategy focuses on providing immediate and comprehensive care to survivors of sexual violence.

3.1 Key Health Interventions and Policy Implementation

1. Post-Exposure Prophylaxis (PEP): The Ministry is working to ensure the national availability of PEP for HIV, a critical tool for the immediate protection of survivors. Collaborative efforts with state authorities are underway to improve access across all health units.
2. 2024 Decalog Implementation: A new decalog for action against sexual violence is being implemented in states including Chiapas and Tabasco, with others preparing for adoption. This initiative aims to standardize and elevate the quality of care nationwide.
3. Technical Guidelines: The adoption of the ANIMA protocol and new technical guidelines for comprehensive care and access to safe abortion services further strengthens the health sector’s capacity to meet the needs of survivors, in line with SDG Target 5.6.

4.0 Multi-Stakeholder Partnerships for the Goals (SDG 17)

Recognizing the importance of SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals), the Ministry of Health is fostering collaboration to create a consolidated and effective national response. This partnership model aims to reduce service fragmentation and ensure a coordinated approach to eliminating violence against women.

4.1 National and International Collaboration

Key partners in this multi-stakeholder effort include:

• International Agencies: Pan American Health Organization (PAHO/WHO), United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA).
• Federal Health Institutions: IMSS, ISSSTE, IMSS-Bienestar, PEMEX, SEDENA, SEMAR, and federal hospitals.

5.0 Strategic Priorities for Sustained Progress

To ensure the long-term sustainability of these policies, the National Center for Gender Equity and Sexual and Reproductive Health (CNEGSSR) has identified several strategic priorities. These forward-looking actions are essential for the continued advancement of SDGs 3, 5, and 16.

• Strengthening the training and capacity of health personnel.
• Expanding access to safe and comprehensive health services for all survivors.
• Developing a national information and indicator system to monitor progress.
• Ensuring the continuity and sustainability of public policies related to gender-based violence.

Analysis of Sustainable Development Goals in the Article

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

• SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being: The article focuses heavily on the health sector’s response to sexual violence. It discusses the provision of sexual and reproductive health services, care for survivors, prevention of sexually transmitted infections like HIV through post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP), and the mental health impacts of violence, such as depression.
• SDG 5: Gender Equality: The core theme of the article is the elimination of violence against women and girls, a primary target of SDG 5. It addresses the need for policies, services, and institutional responses grounded in gender equality and reproductive justice to empower women and protect their rights.
• SDG 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions: The article highlights actions to strengthen the institutional response to violence. This includes establishing clear guidelines (“Mexico’s Criteria for Comprehensive Care of Sexual Abuse and Assault”), clarifying legal rights (reporting is a right, not an obligation for care), and developing a national information and indicator system, all of which contribute to building effective and accountable institutions.
• SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals: The article explicitly mentions the collaborative efforts required to tackle this issue. It names international partners like the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) and the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), as well as collaborations among various federal health institutions (IMSS, ISSSTE, PEMEX, etc.) to create a coordinated response.

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

1. Target 5.2: Eliminate all forms of violence against all women and girls in the public and private spheres. The entire article is framed around the “International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women” and details Mexico’s efforts to care for survivors of sexual violence, directly addressing this target.
2. Target 3.7: By 2030, ensure universal access to sexual and reproductive health-care services. The article discusses providing “sexual and reproductive health services” as a “crucial pathway for survivors.” It specifically mentions guaranteeing access to post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) for HIV and “access to safe abortion services” as key components of comprehensive care.
3. Target 3.3: By 2030, end the epidemics of AIDS… and other communicable diseases. The Ministry of Health’s work to “guarantee the national availability of post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) for HIV” is a direct measure to prevent the spread of HIV, a key component of this target.
4. Target 16.1: Significantly reduce all forms of violence… everywhere. The policies and health interventions described, such as the “ANIMA protocol” and “new technical guidelines for comprehensive care,” are systemic efforts aimed at reducing the impact and, ultimately, the prevalence of violence against women.
5. Target 17.17: Encourage and promote effective public, public-private and civil society partnerships. The article highlights the importance of partnerships by noting “international support from the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO), the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA),” and collaboration among federal health institutions like “IMSS, ISSSTE, IMSS-Bienestar, PEMEX, SEDENA, SEMAR.”

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

1. Prevalence of violence against women: The article directly cites a key indicator from the National Institute of Statistics and Geography (INEGI): “seven out of 10 women have experienced violence.” This statistic serves as a baseline for measuring progress on Target 5.2.
2. Availability and accessibility of health services: The article implies indicators related to service provision. Progress can be measured by tracking the “national availability of post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) for HIV” and the degree of “timely implementation and access across health units.”
3. Implementation of policies and protocols: The article mentions the “2024 decalog has begun implementation in several states.” An indicator of progress would be the number or percentage of states that have formally adopted and implemented this decalog, the ANIMA protocol, and other technical guidelines.
4. Development of a national information system: The stated need to “develop a national information and indicator system” implies that the creation and functionality of such a system is a critical indicator of institutional capacity to monitor and respond to the issue.
5. Capacity of health personnel: The call to “strengthen health personnel training” suggests that the number or proportion of health workers trained in the new protocols for sensitive and comprehensive care is a measurable indicator of progress.

Table of SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: mexicobusiness.news