Empowering women and girls in Mexican communities

Currently, Fondo Semillas supports 15 groups integrated by 176 women and trans women who work in the prevention and attention of violence in 16 states of Mexico. Their work has reached 7,868 people in these months, creating a significant impact in their communities. By implementing strategies that address the root causes of violence, they raise awareness in communities, promote a culture of peace, and seek to restore the social network. They also carry out activities that encourage women* to take on leadership roles, and promote economic autonomy and access to decision-making spaces.

In addition, these organizations work with women, trans, and intersex people in highly vulnerable situations, many of whom are migrants, Indigenous people, people with disabilities, sex workers, women deprived of their liberty or who have been in prison. Among the supported groups are collectives of women searching for missing family members, and survivors of femicides, who fight for justice and prevention of these situations of violence.

Despite the achievements of the organizations, this year has been especially violent in terms of transfeminicides, with 8 trans women murdered in Mexico City, and only two cases with people arrested. These crimes, often involving extreme violence, reflect a devastating reality. From 2007 to 2023, the Centro de Atención a las Identidades Trans has documented 751 crimes against trans people in Mexico, although it is estimated that the actual number could be up to three times higher.

"As a group we have made significant progress in discovering several clandestine burials. This discovery represents more than an achievement, it is a crucial step towards justice and peace for several families who have lived with the uncertainty and pain of not knowing the whereabouts of their beloved ones”.

-          Desaparecid@s de la Costa y Feminicidios de Michoacán

In this context, the groups we are supporting condemn hate speech and conditions of violence, document cases, and raise awareness of these problems to build just societies free of discrimination. They work to impact laws and public policies that protect people and educate authorities to guarantee the rights of women, trans, and intersex people.

"I feel very grateful for the support and trust I have received at the Foundation. I am retaking the dreams that I thought I had lost and that includes finishing my high school. A little while ago I read in an image "if you go at your own pace, it's not too late" and it is very true, it is never too late to restart what we are looking forward to. What they did to me is something that I will never be able to overcome, but I know that not everything is pain and suffering. If it were like that, life would be unsustainable. Thank you for being with me in these moments. I know that everything you do is to make me better and I feel supported, loved, and cherished by all of you. I promise to give it my all and make the most of everything".

-          Roberta, Fundación Carmen Sánchez

In summary, during these months we have achieved:

• 781 women, trans, and intersex people know their rights better.
• 71.4% of the organizations have improved their services in areas such as food, education, culture, legality, health, safety, and recreation.
• 11 institutions have changed their practices in favor of the well-being, autonomy, and exercise of the rights of girls, women, trans, and intersex people.