Dear Mexican women residing in Val Verde County,
Within the framework of “March, Women’s Month”, it is in the interest of the Government of Mexico and myself, as the first female Consul in Del Rio, to highlight the long variety of programs for supporting Mexican migrant women living in this border community.
Taking into account that one of my priorities is to promote “substantive gender equality,” the Consulate held a series of events for women this month, such as the interview I conducted with Liliana Flores, the first female Director of the Port of Entry of Del Rio, as well as my participation, along with women leaders, in the event “Women, Leadership and Power Without Borders” carried out by Canaco-Servitur of Ciudad Acuña.
Likewise, the Consulate organized, in collaboration with the Consulate of Mexico in Laredo, the events “Women Leaders in your Community” and “The Future is Feminist.” In cooperation with Migrant Clinicians Network, we also hosted an innovative “Video chat among women” to talk about the mental health of women as family members and professionals, a key issue as a result of the pandemic.
On March 13, the Consulate signed the Manifest “With Me, the Violence Ends,” a commitment in our office to adopt an inclusive, non-discriminatory and non-violent language, as well as to educate all personnel on the meaning and means to promote substantive equality of gender inside the Consulate of Mexico in Del Rio.
It is also important to mention that during January 2020, Mexico became the first country in Latin America to adopt a Feminist Foreign Policy with the objective to promote gender equality and the human rights of women and girls internationally.
Locally, our Consulate has programs to support women, such as the Initiative for the Comprehensive Care of Women, which provides services to victims of violence from guidance on immigration issues, such as obtaining U visas (crime victims) and VAWA visas (victims of domestic violence) to empowerment advice.
Similarly, our Institute for Mexicans Abroad (IME) provides orientation on financial services and through the Ventanilla de Asesoría Financiera, provides assistance to teach our Latino communities to manage savings accounts and look for investment plans, including retirement savings accounts in Mexico (AFORES).
In addition, IME also has health and adult education programs (Ventanillas de Salud y de Educación), that can help women and girls to get information for disease prevention, scholarships and adult education opportunities.
Another important service we provide is orientation for mothers living in Ciudad Acuña who can request Child Support for their kids from parents that are citizens or residents, working in the United States.
Finally, I would like to reaffirm my whole support and that of the Consulate of Mexico in Del Rio for the empowerment of women along this border. Please take note that for emergencies, you can reach us by calling to 830-734-9962, 24/7. Please do not forget to download our app “MICONSULMEX”, very useful to get consular assistance, when needed.
You are not alone; you have our full support.
My deepest thanks to the Del Rio’s 830 Times for this opportunity to convey our message for strengthening the substantive gender equality.
Paloma Villaseñor
Head Consul of Mexico in Del Rio
