News from the Banderas Bay Women's Shelter David Zude - Banderas Bay Womens Shelter
September 10, 2015

Fact of the month

In 2011 an exit interview performed by a government organization revealed that 53.6% of women living in the state of Nayarit have been the victims of domestic violence at the hand of their current or most recent partner. The population of women 15 years and older in 2011 was 410,000. That year over 220,000 were victims of domestic violence. Of these 220,000 only 6.6% or just over 14,500 reported the violent incident! In Mexico there are no statistics that report the percentage of extreme violence; however a report from the US on August 5th, 2015 reports that 25% of women who suffer domestic violence are threatened with a weapon (one classification of extreme violence). We can safely say that at least 3,600 women in the state of Nayarit are victims of extreme domestic violence and are in need of a shelter.

What's happening

July 27th we signed an agreement with the National Institute of Adult Education in Tepic. This agreement will allow us to provide primary and secondary to children and adults from 10 years and older in the shelter. One of our board members and our coordinator are currently being trained as program facilitators. This is very important to us. Many women and children who arrive in the shelter are in need of continuing their education and are not able to leave the shelter. We are still pursuing the capability to provide primary education to children less than 10 years of age. The same day that we signed the agreement we met with the Secretary of Education in Tepic asking how we might be able to provide education for these children. If we are not able to convince them to assist us in this manner we will home school the children.

Also on July 27th we met with the Secretary of Sports and Culture with the intention of asking them to provide the shelter with exercise equipment. Unfortunately it's not likely that his will happen.

As a result of the horrible statistics mentioned in the “fact of the month” we have begun talking with the community about the subject of domestic violence via public meetings, church meetings, and press conferences. On July 27th we had meeting with the press in Tepic. The intention of this meeting was to call attention to subject of domestic violence and inform the public of the resources that are available to women including the existence of a shelter and the possibility of a new life.

You can read about it at Nayarit Me Gusta.

On July 24th one of our board members and the shelter coordinator began the process of becoming coordinators for INEA (The National Institute of Adult Education) by attending a training session. Once these ladies complete their training they will be able to provide primary and secondary level education to adults and children 10 years and older. This is extremely important to us and the women and children who we serve. For security reasons children cannot leave the shelter to attend school. Percent of women who suffer domestic violence have completed a secondary level education. Without at least this level of education it is impossible for a woman to find employment that pays enough for her to support herself and her family.

On August 18th we took a trip to Mexico City to meet with the National Network of Shelters, the national office of The Women's Institute and the Center for Gender Equality (part of the Secretary of Health at the national level). The meetings were very positive. On August 27 the director of the National Network of Shelters paid a visit to the shelter. The purpose of the visit was to evaluate the capabilities of the shelter, the security measures and the shelter staffing.

Finally on August 31st we met with another not-for-profit organization working in Bucerias. The purpose of the meeting was to begin the process of establishing an External Resource Center for the shelter. This center will provide the services of a social worker, a psychologist and a lawyer. These services will be available to women who do not need to be in a shelter, but who are suffering domestic violence. The center staff will also be able to identify women who are in need of protection in a shelter a capability that does not exist in the government area neither in Nayarit nor in Jalisco.

Needs

New baby stuff: Car seat, stroller, rocking chair, everything.

The shelter is in need of children's clothing and shoes. There is also a need for more women's shoes.

Please consider a cash donation to the shelter.

Donations can be made through Paypal on the website, by sending a check to Compassion for the Family, 115 13th Street SE, Altoona, IA 50009 or by emailing compassionforthefamily@yahoo.com.mx. Donations received from U.S. or Mexican citizens are tax deductible.
 
Thanks to PDI Companies for their continued support. You can visit their official site at PDI Companies.

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