Protect their Journey #GirlsWhoMigrate

Against a critical backdrop, the 16 organizations funded by donations like yours continue to work for the rights of migrant girls, women, and trans* people at Mexico’s borders and in some transit states. 

Their work in recent months has benefited more than 8,831 migrant girls, women, and trans* people. In general, the local population perceives migrants as a danger, stigmatizes them, and acts with indifference to the violence experienced by migrant girls, women, and trans* persons. Migrant women, girls, and adolescents, particularly those who identify themselves as black and indigenous, face greater barriers due to racial discrimination and gender-based violence.

Despite the challenges, 93% of the organizations reported that the population they work with knows and is more aware of their rights and they do so through various activities. For example, the organization Espacio Migrante organized a Migrant Children’s Parliament, where they promote resilience, non-violence, and peacebuilding through storytelling, the creation of plasticine figures, drawing, and watercolor painting. They also created Morras Luchadoras, a space for migrant girls and adolescents where they can express themselves and share their feelings and thoughts through artistic activities, dialogue, and body movement.

In addition, 60% of the groups funded reported that they have strengthened their institutional capacity and commitment to providing services for migrants. This was reflected in changes in the practices of 86 institutions in favor of the rights of migrant girls, women, or trans* people. For example, Iniciativas para el Desarrollo Humano (Initiatives for Human Development) (IDEHU) reactivated the Commission for Migrant Children in the Integral System for the Protection of Children and Adolescents (SIPINNA) of Chiapas.

In addition to advocacy and service provision, the groups supported also promote cultural transformations in their communities to eradicate racism and sexism experienced by migrant girls and women. 85% of the organizations reported an increase in the commitment of community members to advocate for the rights of the migrant population.

Thank you to those who make contributions, as these advances would not be possible without you.

Testimonial:

“ José’s” mother traveled to the United States due to the poverty and violence she was experiencing at the hands of her husband. She left her son in Honduras in the care of her sister. Sometime later, the 9-year-old boy decided to travel to Mexico, seeking to be reunited with his mother, but then he was abandoned by the people he was traveling with and who eventually left him alone. The boy was taken in at a shelter in Pachuca, Hidalgo and then the case was referred to IMUMI, an organization supported by Fondo Semillas. The organization approached the State Attorney General’s Office for the Protection of Children and Adolescents (Procuraduría Estatal de Protección a Niñas, Niños y Adolescentes) and held ongoing meetings with the protection authorities and a U.S. binational organization called KIND. With KIND’S support and IMUMI’s advocacy with the Attorney General’s Office, they were able to obtain protective measures to reunite the child with his mother in the United States. Currently, “José” is with his mother” (IMUMI).