COPPPAL condemn rising disappearances of women in Latin America

Mexico.- The Women’s Mechanism of the Permanent Conference of Political Parties of Latin America and the Caribbean (COPPPAL) has expressed deep concern over the growing number of missing women and girls in the region, calling for stronger government action to address disappearances and gender-based violence.

COPPPAL Women President Dalmira Martínez Juárez said Latin America and the Caribbean are facing a worsening crisis, noting that Mexico has recorded more than 135,000 disappearances, including about 35,000 women and girls, with adolescents aged 15 to 19 among the most vulnerable groups. She stressed that governments have a duty to strengthen search efforts, investigations, and access to justice.

To help address the problem, the organization announced the creation of the Latin American and Caribbean Observatory of Disappeared Women, which will operate in the 30 countries where COPPPAL has a presence. The initiative aims to improve visibility of the crisis, support victims’ families, promote prevention measures, and strengthen the protection of women’s human rights across the region.