“Authentic, free and periodic elections cannot be stopped,” said the presiding judge of the Superior Chamber of the Electoral Tribunal of the Judicial Branch of the Federation (TEPJF), Monica Soto Fregosowhen referring to the resolution adopted by this jurisdictional body with which it was declared constitutionally unfeasible to suspend the development of the electoral procedures by the Senate of the Republic, the National Electoral Institute and other authorities regarding the extraordinary electoral process of the Judicial Branch.
The presiding magistrate Soto Fregoso recognized that Mexico is experiencing new moments in which the constitutional reformsin which there are substantive changes. “The Constitution is in force today and preserves those changes and we have to attend to what the Constitution itself obliges us to the authorities, in this case electoral, that we are here and that is what we are for, to respond with the Constitution, attached to it and to the powers and competencies that they give to each of us,” he said within the framework of the inauguration of the Digital Violence Forum against Women Who Participate in Politics. Analysis of TEPJF sentences, held in La Paz, Baja California Sur.
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During her intervention, the judge explained that no authority can suspend the right to vote of citizenship, because it is the very essence of democracy. “The day an authority stops a popular vote election, that day let us worry because democracy will have been broken in our country,” he said before electoral and legislative authorities of this state.
He reported that the violence against women has grown. When returning to the statistics of the INEGIpointed out that 9.4 million women have suffered harassment, in which 55 percent of the aggressors have been men. He referred to another piece of information Cyber Prevention and Investigation Unit from Mexico City, which warns that, of the total incidents attended in the first half of 2023 related to digital violence, 65 percent were related to women of legal age. If we start from this data, the need to legislate this activity can be evident, which was included as digital and media violence in June 2021, the presiding judge proposed.
The objective of this forum, organized by the TEPJF, through the General Directorate of Equal Rights and Gender Parityo, and the State Electoral Court of Baja California Sur, is to analyze and reflect on the criteria that the TEPJF has issued on the matter, which allow us to know the implications of this violence for democratic coexistence and for the exercise of the political-electoral rights of women on a level of equality and non-discrimination.
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He said that at the TEPJF “we have resolved 3,642 files and 2,938 sentences have been issued regarding matters related to political violence against women based on gender”, actions with which progress has been made in a vision of understanding. What is political violence against women?
In this way, he pointed out that the Electoral Tribunal strengthens its mission to protect the political-electoral rights of womenvisualize the obligations of the Mexican State, the policies, its challenges and areas of opportunity, in addition to the good practices and experiences, as well as the sanctions applied to achieve substantive equality and the consolidation of a parity democracy, free of political violence based on gender and without discrimination.
Representatives of the local Congress, the State Electoral Tribunal, the State Electoral Institute, the executive member of the Executive District Board number 01, the Women’s Network for Substantive Equality of the entity, the CONECTADAS group, as well as the Autonomous University of Baja California Sur, participated in panels.
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– How can Mexico mitigate digital violence against women in politics to ensure their participation in elections?
Interviewer: Welcome to Time.news! Today, we have the privilege of speaking with Monica Soto Fregoso, the presiding judge of the Electoral Tribunal of the Judicial Branch of the Federation in Mexico. Judge Soto, thank you for joining us today.
Monica Soto Fregoso: Thank you for having me. It’s a pleasure to be here.
Interviewer: You recently stated, “Authentic, free, and periodic elections cannot be stopped.” Can you elaborate on the significance of this statement in the context of Mexico’s current political climate?
Monica Soto Fregoso: Certainly. This declaration highlights the fundamental principle that the right to vote is inviolable. No authority should ever suspend electoral processes because it undermines democracy itself. Recent constitutional reforms in Mexico have introduced substantial changes, and my role, as well as that of the Electoral Tribunal, is to ensure that we uphold these democratic values and maintain electoral integrity.
Interviewer: You mentioned the current changes prompted by constitutional reforms. How do these reforms shape the responsibilities of the electoral authorities?
Monica Soto Fregoso: The reforms mandate adherence to strict constitutional guidelines. Our job is to respond effectively to these changes and to protect democratic processes. The Constitution is in force, and our authorities must act within the framework it provides to fulfill their responsibilities. We strive to ensure that every citizen’s right to vote is preserved and respected.
Interviewer: You also discussed an alarming rise in violence against women in politics. How does this affect participation in electoral processes?
Monica Soto Fregoso: The statistics are quite concerning—9.4 million women have reported harassment, with a significant portion being subjected to digital violence. This not only deters women from participating in politics but can also diminish the quality of democracy. We need to create a safe environment for all citizens, particularly women, to engage in political discourse and leadership.
Interviewer: What steps can be taken to legislate against digital violence and support women’s participation in politics?
Monica Soto Fregoso: It’s critical to develop comprehensive legislation specifically addressing digital and media violence, which was first recognized back in June 2021. We must raise awareness about this issue and ensure that legal structures are in place to protect individuals from harassment and violence, thus encouraging more women to participate in the political sphere.
Interviewer: You mentioned the Digital Violence Forum organized by the TEPJF. What are its key objectives?
Monica Soto Fregoso: The Digital Violence Forum aims to analyze and reflect on the criteria set by the TEPJF regarding violence against women in politics. We want to create discussions that highlight the importance of protecting candidates and elected officials from digital harassment and developing strategies to mitigate these risks.
Interviewer: As presiding judge, what do you hope to achieve moving forward in terms of electoral integrity and women’s rights?
Monica Soto Fregoso: My goal is to ensure that electoral integrity remains a priority and that women can enjoy their democratic rights without fear of violence or discrimination. We want to instill confidence in the electoral process and empower every citizen, especially women, to participate actively and freely in shaping our democracy.
Interviewer: Thank you, Judge Soto, for your insights and for shedding light on these crucial issues. It’s clear that your work is vital to the future of democracy in Mexico.
Monica Soto Fregoso: Thank you for your time. Understanding and discussing these issues is fundamental for all of us, and I appreciate the platform you’ve provided.