Introduction to the European Union’s Initiative
The European Union (EU) has announced a $5.5 million investment to support five cooperation projects focused on human rights and gender equality in Mexico. Each project will receive $1.1 million for implementation.
Kajsa Ollongren’s Visit and Emphasis on Gender Equality
During the visit of Kajsa Ollongren, the EU Special Representative for Human Rights, the significance of strengthening institutions and civil society to combat gender violence was highlighted. Ollongren praised Mexico for taking gender equality seriously, stating that “in Mexico, the issue of women’s equality is being taken very seriously.”
EU-Mexico Bilateral Relationship and Investment
Francisco André, the EU Ambassador to Mexico and head of the EU Delegation in Mexico, emphasized that the bilateral relationship is strategic. He noted that 2025 marked a crucial year as the EU became Mexico’s second-largest investor and second-biggest export destination. André stated, “Our association goes beyond politics and economics,” having funded over 130 cooperation projects with civil society since 2004, investing more than €32 million.
Project Focus and Partners
The selected projects aim to protect women, girls, and adolescents, improve access to justice, prevent gender-based violence, and strengthen institutions across various regions in Mexico.
- Hacia una sociedad libre de violencia basada en género: This initiative aims to reinforce the capabilities of security and justice institutions to provide comprehensive and differentiated attention. It involves partners like the Laboratorio de Soluciones Colaborativas de Políticas Públicas (LAB-CO) and the Laboratorio de Modelos de Impacto Social A.C.
- Empoderamiento y protección de niñas y adolescentes en México: This project focuses on political influence, using new technologies and creating prevention networks. It collaborates with Tejiendo Redes Infancia en América Latina y el Caribe A.C. and Cultivando Género A.C.
- Voces por la Justicia: This project aims to improve access to justice for girls and adolescents who are victims of sexual violence, trafficking, and child sexual exploitation. It partners with the Office of the Child Rights Defender and Derechos Infancia México A.C.
- Two additional projects focus on ensuring women, girls, and adolescents’ right to live free of violence and strengthening the exercise of this right across various regions in Mexico. These projects involve organizations such as EQUIS: Justicia para las Mujeres, Data Cívica, the Consorcio para el Diálogo Parlamentario y la Equidad Oaxaca A.C., the Observatorio Ciudadano Nacional del Feminicidio, and the Red de Abogadas Indígenas.
Agenda of Work
Kajsa Ollongren will co-chair the XIII High-Level EU-Mexico Dialogue on Human Rights alongside Mexico’s Subsecretary for Multilateral Affairs and Human Rights at the Foreign Ministry. She will also attend the award ceremony for the Tulipán de Derechos Humanos, granted by the Netherlands Embassy.
