Voices that transform: Academic conferences against violence and in favor of women’s rights

San Luis Potosí, San Luis Potosí. January 29th, 2024.

EVENT: “Voices that transform: Academic conferences against violence and in favor of women’s rights”

Organizers: Dr. Roxana Abigail Montejano Villaseñor (UASLP).

Dr. María Suhey Tristán Rodríguez (UASLP).

Lic. Malti Nessi Gutiérrez

General context:

The conferences were part of the “Master ‘s Degree in Gender Based Violence” project, concerning point 7.1 “Dissemination plan”; which aims to contribute to the prevention and eradication of violence against women, where countries such as Slovenia, Greece, Peru, Colombia and Mexico come together. In this sense, it should be noted that the Autonomous University of San Luis Potosí (UASLP) is part of and is financed by the European Union (EU), through “ERASMUS K2”. The Master’s Degree in Human Rights and the Faculty of Law of the aforementioned university converge in its organization.

The conferences were held on March 6 and 7 as part of the commemoration of March 8, which is recognized as “International Women’s Day.” This commemoration has its origin in the struggle of women for equal rights, fair working conditions, and suffrage. Over the years, it has evolved to expose the various problems plaguing women’s lives in multiple spaces of society. It is a day of reflection, awareness, and action at a global level, with various events, marches, and activities that seek to highlight the achievements of women and draw attention to the challenges that remain yet, for example:

In Mexico, March 8 takes on significant relevance in the context of the fight for women’s rights, especially due to the data shown below and emanating from the National Institute of Geography and Statistics (INEGI):

1. In 2021, 70.1% of women aged 15 years and older experienced at least one incident of violence.
2. In 2022, 6,977 emergency calls reporting incidents of sexual violence were recorded, which represents an increase of 13.1% compared to 2021.
3. From October 2022 to September 2023, it is estimated that 9.8% of women aged 18 or over were violated in the family environment.
4. Every year, more than 3,000 women, girls, and teenagers are murdered in Mexico, although only around 24% of that figure is counted as femicides.
5. In the first quarter of 2023, intentional homicides and feminicides totaled 901 victims, 3% more than the 870 reported for the same months of 2022.
6.  

Consequently, the general objective was to promote a collaborative, inclusive and equitable space, where students, academics, government institutions and civil society can analyze gender problems, promote equality, and recognize the crucial role that women play in the construction of knowledge to address the violence that is exercised against them. Also, we sought to raise awareness about the importance of eradicating gender stereotypes, as well as promoting the active and equitable participation of women in various spaces.

In this order of ideas, the following specific objectives were proposed :

1. Raise awareness and raise awareness to provide relevant information and data on gender inequalities in various spaces of society. Bring participants closer to the challenges and obstacles that girls and women face, besides the regulations that recognize and protect their prerogatives, as well as the actions undertaken in their favor.
2. analyze by facilitating spaces for discussion and critical reflection on gender roles and stereotypes in society that perpetuate injustices and inequalities to the detriment of women. In this sense, generating reflections in the students through activities in which they are protagonists and active subjects to be developed was key to the event.
3. Promote equality and inclusion by identifying and addressing possible biases in the way women face problems.
4. Recognize the contributions of women by highlighting the knowledge and practice of women in addressing the problems that arise in various areas. Likewise, provide a space for women students and academics to share their experiences and challenges overcome.
5. Promote the active commitment of the educational community to the promotion of gender equality by collecting proposals to create a more inclusive and diverse environment (from school to social).

These general and specific objectives sought a significant impact on awareness, attitudes, and practices related to gender equality that start from the academic field and are replicated socially, thus contributing to the construction of a more just and egalitarian society.

We reiterate that; regardless of the regulatory framework, public policies, and academic and social actions to promote, protect, respect, and guarantee the rights of this population; there is no doubt that violence against women is increasing numbers, which is a cause for deep concern and reflection, becoming a comprehensive challenge that requires continuous and coordinated commitment at multiple levels of society.

The conference began on March 6, and was inaugurated by Mr. Germán Pedroza Gaitán, Director of the Faculty of Law of the Autonomous University of San Luis Potosí (UASLP), who highlighted in his welcome message, the director of the faculty, Mr. Germán Federico Pedroza Gaitán, stated that the culture of women’s rights must take root in the university, in the academic entity, and in society. He acknowledged that the rector, Dr. Alejandro Zermeño Guerra, has placed special emphasis on the issue. The event was held in the Aula Magna Félix Fernández and was attended by 250 students (80% women and 20% men).

It is pertinent to mention that the event was broadcast by the official media of the UASLP as University Radio and social networks (Facebook, Instagram. X Twitter) of the Faculty of Law, in addition to the personal media of the organizers.

The event took place in the following order: