Legal Framework and Institutional Mechanisms
Convention on the Elimination of All forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW). Accession in 1981. Ratification of Optional Protocol in 2002. Main reference document for equality between men and women. Through its ratification or accession to it the States are legally bound to adopt all necessary measures, including special temporary measures and laws, in order for women to fully enjoy all their human rights and fundamental freedoms.
Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action (1995). The signatory countries take responsibility for the implementation of the Platform for Action, in which 12 critical areas of concern for the advancement of women are defined.
Political Constitution (1917) and reforms. Prohibits all gender-based discrimination attempting against human dignity and it is inspired by the ideal of rights equality for everybody, avoiding racial, religious, group, sex or individual privileges.
National Women's Institute (Instituto Nacional de las Mujeres)[1] (2001). Promotes and fosters full exercise of all women's rights, as well as their equitable participation in the country's political, cultural, economic and social life; free from discrimination and with equality of opportunity and treatment between genders.
[1] also known. as INMUJERES.
Equal opportunities
General Act for Equality between Men and Women (2006). Regulates and guarantees equality between men and women, and propounds institutional guidelines and mechanisms for women's empowerment and for fighting all sex-based discrimination.
National Development Plan 2013-2018. It fosters the incorporation of gender perspective into all of the Federal Public Administration's programs.
National Program for Equality of Opportunity and Non-Discrimination against Women (2013-2018). It defines cross-cutting affirmative actions – for all government programs, actions and policies – that enable reduction of inequality gaps between men and women.
Personal and labor conciliation
Federal Labor Act (1970) and reforms. Working mothers shall enjoy paidmaternity leave for six weeks prior to and six weeks after childbirth. During the nursing period they shall enjoy two special breaks a day, each half an hour in duration, in order to feed their children at an adequate and hygienic place appointed by the company. Regarding childcare services, the law establishes they are to be provided by the Mexican Social Security Institute (Instituto Mexicano del Seguro Social)[1]. No provision is made forpaternity leave.
[1] Otherwise known as IMSS.
Violence due to gender
General Act for Women's Access to a Violence-free Life (2007). Measures derived from this act shall guarantee prevention, attention to, sanction and eradication of all types of violence against women throughout their life, and shall promote their full development and participation in all spheres of life. Violence against women is understood as any action or omission based on their gender, leading to psychological, physical, patrimonial and/or economic harm or suffering – be it within the confines of public or private life – or even death.
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