Quintana Roo Women’s Secretariat Ramps Up Violence Prevention Efforts

Chetumal, Quintana Roo — The Women’s Secretariat of Quintana Roo (Semujeres) is strengthening its efforts to prevent violence against women, officials said, as the state continues to register high rates of family and community violence.

The municipalities of Othón P. Blanco, Tulum, Playa del Carmen and Benito Juárez account for most of the reported cases. So far this year, 2,304 women have visited Semujeres’ support centers and 1,458 have received legal advice, said Esther Burgos Jiménez, the agency’s director.

“The support centers have designated, specialized staff who help detect potential cases of violence and provide women with all the attention they need,” Burgos Jiménez said. “Those who decide to file a complaint are referred accordingly. Unfortunately, violence against women remains a problem, which is why we are working intensively on prevention and care, especially in the municipalities that concentrate a significant portion of the cases, where family and community violence are most common.”

Among the ongoing strategies are prevention workshops and activities related to sexual and reproductive health, delivered in schools and communities. Burgos Jiménez said many women need access to this information in order to recognize and stop normalizing situations that constitute violence.

The agency also runs the “Women’s Lawyers” program, made up of specialists who offer support in civil, family and criminal matters. The director urged women to approach the program and not hesitate to ask for help.

“This program is made up of specialists who offer comprehensive support in civil, family and criminal matters,” she said. “The goal is to prevent women from facing legal proceedings alone, which can last months. We invite all women to come forward, learn about the program and ask for help. Do not be afraid — you are not alone.”

Burgos Jiménez added that Semujeres works alongside the state judiciary, the State Human Rights Commission and the State Prosecutor’s Office. Women facing criminal cases also receive support and legal accompaniment from the Quintana Roo Victim Assistance Commission, providing what she described as a broad network to punish and eradicate violence and ensure women can live free and safe.