Our Magna Carta – in its Article 21, ninth paragraph – states that public safety is a function of the State which is in charge of the Union, federal entities and municipalities, with the aim of protecting life, liberty, integrity and heritage. To contribute to the creation and preservation of public order and social peace among the people as well.
This is significant, as the National Survey of Urban Public Safety prepared by the National Institute of Statistics and Geography (INEGI) reports that, in December 2022, 64% of the population aged 18 and over considered it to be in context. Because of crime, it is unsafe to live in your city.
The data is extremely worrying, as it needs to be mentioned that across gender lines, 57% of men—18 years and above—feel unsafe in their city, compared to 69.9% of women.
This reality reflects the historical debt we as a society owe to the female gender which – according to Inegi – also represents 51.2% of the total population in 2020.
The perception of women’s insecurity is not just subjective, as there are statistics which suggest that they are also passive subjects of bloody crimes.
A leading fellow academic shared with me Information on violence against women, prepared by the Executive Secretariat of the National Public Security System, reports that a total of 412 were committed in 2015 in relation to the national trend of alleged crimes of femicide; while a total of 947 were reported in 2022; That is, we had to face an increase of 129.8 percent.
In addition, the number of female victims of willful homicide in 2022 was 2,807 and those for the offense of willful hurt were 67,315.
Finally, the same source identifies that from 127,424 reported crimes of family violence registered in 2015, we will grow to 270,546 in 2022, representing a daily average of 741 assaults.
The statistics are alarming and disheartening, because they show that our society—and women in particular—are plagued by insecurities in their integrity, not only in public spaces, but also within the family.
It is a matter of thought: how is it possible that women are becoming more violent and vulnerable in their own family environment?
Throughout the history of mankind, the social group that has faced the greatest discrimination and inequality is undoubtedly women. Thanks to the fact that it was only in the last century that they were able to access education – especially of a higher nature – they knew, understood and conquered their full rights. And that, many men neither understand nor accept this, and resort to violence to maintain their supremacy.
It is imperative that officials from all three orders of government coordinate more effectively. It is not just a matter of arresting alleged criminals, as our Constitution – in the already mentioned article – is clear in stating that public safety – in an integral manner – includes prevention, investigation and prosecution of offences.
We are faced with a complex task, where education is the only true solution. But it is also necessary for the authorities to guarantee public safety, as it is necessary for the overall development of the people, full enjoyment of all our rights and progress of the society.
As resultphrase of the Uruguayan author Eduardo Galliano: “Women’s fear of men’s violence mirrors men’s fear of women without fear”.
