IV Period of Sessions for the Forum on Minorities on the Human Rights Council Intervention of the Delegation of Mexico Theme 6: Practices and national experiences Geneva, 30 November 2011 Thank you Madame President, For the Government of Mexico, the promotion and defense of the human rights of women is one of its highest priorities. Mexico has signed and ratified all the treaties and international instruments in this matter, with the goal that they be translated into public policies and programs that allow for the reduction of inequalities between women and men, as well as the indices of discrimination and violence towards this sector of the population. Currently, Mexico has the legal framework of 8 federal laws concerning the rights of women that mainly cover aspects such as discrimination, gender equality, respect for linguistic rights, the fight against violence and maltreatment. The National Program in the Matter of Equality between Men and Women (PROIGUALDAD) contemplates, among other objectives, to: construct public policies with a gender perspective, promote the elimination of stereotypes established about the function of gender, elevate the inscription and permanence of girls in schools, promote the prevention of diseases affecting women, combat their discrimination in the work sector, expand the national system of childcare and day care facilities, give special attention to women living in poverty and promote the political participation of women. In light of the Law of the National Commission for the Development of Indigenous Peoples, the federal government has the obligation of including a gender focus in policies, programs, and actions for the promotion of the political participation, respect, equity and full opportunities for indigenous women. Currently, a consultation is taking place for the reform of the General Law for Education to guarantee the inclusion of the whole population in the educational system, within the framework of one pluricultural and plurilinguistic nation. In the matter of effective political participation, the Federal Electoral Institute has completed the translation into 29 linguistic variations of the principal cartels of diffusion of political rights and civic responsibilities to benefit the indigenous populations in 16 federal entities. This same entity elaborated the Strategic Program for Civic Education with the goal of contributing to the elimination of social and racial discrimination.