Pillar IV of the Mérida Initiative: Why Assessing Impact on Women Matters
resources should be allocated in order to achieve gender sensitive results using both gender mainstreaming analysis as well as an illustrative tool like the Women’s Empowerment Framework. The paper will conclude by considering the potential implications for both the USG and Mexican Government of not properly addressing gender concerns in program design and implementation. Methodology As touched on above, this paper will derive much of its analytical energy from the following outlets: (1) available government and media sources that address how USG and Mexican Government funds have been spent (as well as the design and objectives of funded programs) on Pillar IV interests; (2) a discussion and analysis of the criticality of gender mainstreaming for effective programming; (3) an interview with two former government officials of Mexico City who are familiar with Mérida Initiative implementation; and (4) the use of a gender assessment framework such as the Women’s Empowerment Framework to facilitate a discussion of where resources should be allocated to achieve maximum programmatic output. Context: Increasing Drug-Related Violence and its Differential Impact on Women In Ciudad Juárez As touched on above, the battle for access to key supply lines for drug trafficking in northern Mexico has motivated some of the most horrific violence in the region to date. The US Congressional Research Service notes that in addition to seeking to expand control over lucrative trafficking routes, DTOs have penetrated other illicit markets, such as human trafficking, kidnapping, armed robbery, and extortion, which in turn has further destabilized
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