On September 30th 2021, the Autonomous Technological Institute of Mexico (ITAM) presented the new ITAM Protocol for the Prevention of and Response to Cases of Gender-Based Violence.
This tool is in response to the sensitive and legitimate demand by the university community to have an updated and modern instrument, in accordance with the best international practices in this matter, that reflects the perspectives of gender and inclusion, as well as the unrestricted respect for human rights.
Likewise, it is based on the commitment by ITAM President Dr. Arturo Fernández to the student body, as well as to the teaching and administrative staff, to provide the ITAM community with an environment free of gender-based violence in any of its manifestations.
The new ITAM Protocol for the Prevention of and Response to Cases of Gender-Based Violence is the product of the reflection of many months of intense debate and open dialogue. Said dialogue included representatives of various national and foreign universities. In addition to recognizing that gender-based violence can occur in any type of relationship, there was an effort to overcome preconceptions and establish a diagnosis of needs from which to begin. In this way, what at first seemed like unsurmountable differences, agreements were reached that today are reflected in this document.
The protocol is also the result of the committed work of a group of experts made up of specialists in gender and legal issues, headed by ITAM authorities and officials, and led by former ITAM student Melissa Ayala, a lawyer who specializes in human rights and feminist legal theory.
Something unprecedented in the rewriting process was the creation of a microsite open to all sectors of the ITAM community in which each of the discussions, arguments and proposals can be followed up on a timely basis, as well as being enriched with comments.
The protocol establishes that ITAM is obliged to promote respect among all members of the community and to ensure that this principle is observed. It is also obliged to promote – always in the framework of legality– an environment free of violence and discrimination based on gender and diversity.
“The community of the Institute can be sure that we do not tolerate or cover up harassment or disrespect,” Dr. Fernández said.
University authorities are aware that, like any tool of this nature, the new ITAM Protocol for the Prevention of and Response to Cases of Gender-Based Violence is perfectible. Proof of this is that the version presented today is the third of its kind – two previous ones were issued in February 2018 and August 2019.
In the preamble of the document, ITAM places special emphasis on the creation of three entities: the Response Unit for Gender-Based Violence, in charge of dealing with cases of gender-based violence; the Analysis Committee against gender-based violence, made up of different members of the community; and the Analysis Commission against gender-based violence, made up of the faculty, administrative staff and students, as appropriate.
The protocol is also considering the provision of a resource for specialized psychological accompaniment and support for the affected person, under the supervision of the Sub Directorate for Mental Health Care.
In sum, the new ITAM Protocol for the Prevention of and Response to Cases of Gender-Based Violence is the result of an authentic, solid and serious effort by the entire ITAM community.
Learn about the new ITAM Protocol for the Prevention of and Response to Cases of Gender-Based Violence.
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