By Ana Godinez | Project Leader
“In 2021, Mexico debuted a law reform that promised to put the country at the forefront of protecting the rights of migrant children. But the reform is not being implemented: thousands of kids are not going through the new protection system and those who do go through continue to be detained in immigration jails or annexes. Moreover, in thousands of cases, the State violates the new norm in order to expel children and adolescents whose lives are in danger in the countries from which they fled” (Animal político, 2023).
The flow of migrant children and adolescents has been increasing. In the border corridors, there is an important presence of organized crime, and drug and arms trafficking, which represents a strong security risk for children. The organizations have been working flat out, which is why the donations are contributing to their strengthening and articulation.
Twelve groups are currently supported, and they are made up of 244 women who work for the rights and welfare of migrant children in Mexico, in Baja California Sur, Baja California, Jalisco, Michoacán, Mexico City, Tabasco, Chiapas, and other transit states. During this period, the work of these groups has benefited 5,384 migrant girls and women.
These groups continue with work such as:
Bringing information closer so that children know their rights. In particular, they broaden knowledge so that girls in transit can make informed decisions and know where to find safe shelter.
Organizations such as Iniciativas para el Desarrollo Humano (IDEHU), Partería y Medicinas Ancestrales, Migrar es vivir (ODA), Formación y Capacitación (FOCA), or Espacio Migrante increase access to health services, education, culture, housing, play and recreation, and food, and protect them from violence.
With the project Education in Movement, the organization Espacio Migrante held community meetings and workshops, where they shared experiences on access to education for migrant children and adolescents and offered information on educational processes in Baja California.
In the case of children and adolescents who do not speak Spanish, mainly from Haiti and African countries, the language barrier prevents them from exercising their right to education. The Espacio Migrante team provides interpretation support for communication between children, their families, and schools.
The Instituto para las Mujeres en a Migración (IMUMI) trained 152 authorities in the care of migrant children. It also collaborated with a digital media outlet (Animal Político) for the publication of a journalistic investigation entitled “Migrant Girl, Paper Promises”, in order to raise awareness in the communities of both countries about the challenges in the care of migrant children.
Testimonial:
“The day before birthing, Julieta, an 18-year-old indigenous woman from Guatemala, was discriminated against at the health center and was denied access to services, which, in addition to being denounced on social networks, is another case that we denounced along with other organizations before the National Human Rights Commission. Accompanying Julieta’s birth was an experience that has enriched us as midwives and motivates us to continue working as women with women”. (Partería y Medicinas Ancestrales)
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