Background on the Program and Its Importance
For over five years, Mexico’s specialized refuge programs for women victims of gender-based violence, their daughters, and sons (Program U012) had a dedicated budget line item. However, the current government decided to eliminate this specific allocation and instead create a general category for detecting feminicides by 2026. This change has raised concerns about transparency, accountability, and the future of these vital support systems.
The Program’s Previous Structure
The Program U012, which has been in effect since 2021, received more than 484 million pesos for 2025. This program specifically supported refuge facilities for women experiencing gender-based violence, along with their children. However, the 2026 Proyecto de Presupuesto de Egresos de la Federación (PPEF) no includes this program, merging it into a broader category titled “Program for the Prevention and Detection of Feminicides and Attention to Their Causes.” This new category has a budget of 856 million pesos.
Concerns from the National Network of Refuges
The National Network of Refuges has expressed concern over the elimination of the specific budget line for refuge programs. They argue that this move not only removes the program’s name but also its political identity, which they consider a symbolic and political setback.
Furthermore, the network warns that creating a general budget category dilutes accountability by spreading resources across a generic program. This, in turn, weakens the right to immediate protection and leaves thousands of women, girls, and adolescents uncertain about their future.
“The new structure invisibilizes resources: the PPEF 2026 does not specify how much funding will go to refuges, increasing uncertainty and opening the door to discretionary spending,” said Wendy Figueroa Morales, Director of the National Network of Refuges.
Key Questions and Answers
- What changes have been made to the refuge program funding? The current Mexican government has merged the specialized refuge program (U012) for women victims of gender-based violence into a broader category called “Program for the Prevention and Detection of Feminicides and Attention to Their Causes” within the 2026 PPEF.
- Why is this change concerning? Critics, including the National Network of Refuges, argue that this move eliminates the program’s specific identity and weakens accountability. They fear it will dilute resources, delay immediate protection for vulnerable women and girls, and increase uncertainty regarding funding allocations.
- What are the demands of the National Network of Refuges? The network calls for transparency from the government on how and with what amount they will ensure funding for refuges and their external attention centers post-merger. They also urge legislators to restore the political and budgetary identity of the Refuge Program (U012) during the PPEF 2026 discussions.
