Cozumel’s Orange Day March: Empowering Women for Safety

In celebration of Orange Day, the municipal government of Cozumel, in collaboration with the Quintana Roo Institute for Women (IQM) and other organizations, organized an "Exploratory March". The event was held in the Emiliano Zapata neighborhood, with the aim of identifying and promoting best practices for citizen safety and peace-building from a gender perspective.

During the event, Carmen Moreno Ramírez, Director of Social Development, spoke about the ongoing commitment to address the needs of Cozumel's women. She emphasized the importance of educating women about their vulnerability, informing them about available resources, and offering support to those who have experienced violence. She stated, "Women should know they are not alone. There are specialists ready to listen and do everything necessary to ensure their well-being, peace of mind, and health."

Aurora Miranda Novelo, a delegate from the IQM, explained that Orange Day aims to bring information and support to the residents of Emiliano Zapata and the wider community. The event primarily focuses on assisting women who have experienced any form of violence, offering them guidance and support.

Following the march, attendees had the opportunity to visit various booths from participating organizations. These included the municipal DIF, which provided information about its services; the Civil Register, which offered support with birth certificate procedures; and the Specialized Group for Gender Family Violence Care (GEAVIG), which provided advice and support to victims of family or gender violence.

Also in attendance were the Municipal Women's Committee (COMUMU) and the Culture sub-directorate, offering a wide range of workshops for the community. Attendees also enjoyed a sample Zumba class.

The Economic Development sub-directorate brought a group of entrepreneurs who offered discounts to attendees. The Secrets Aura Cozumel hotel provided information about job opportunities, and the Smart View Optics shop offered a 50% discount on glasses. UNID also offered scholarships and registration discounts for their undergraduate programs.

Additionally, the IQM provided guidance and services to address gender violence against women. The Health sub-directorate administered tetanus vaccinations and completed children's vaccination schedules. They also conducted tests for syphilis, HIV, hepatitis C, and glucose, and provided nutritional and psychological counseling, as well as blood pressure checks.