President Andrés Manuel López Obrador signed a decree to abolish the National Institute for Social Development (Indesol) of the Ministry of Welfare, a body that had the power to design and apply programs that prevent and combat causes such as teenage pregnancy, in addition to granting resources to women’s shelters and serve as a link between social organizations and government agencies.
Just one day after the end of 2021, the Mexican president ordered the elimination of Indesol, to create the General Directorate for Well-being and Social Cohesion, which will absorb most of the functions of said institute created in 1994.
Likewise, the functions that the General Directorate will have are marked, most of which are identical to those granted to Indesol, with the exception that the new direction must assist with the Planning and Evaluation of Development Programs Unit, in the formulation of guidelines for the organization and participation of social groups in the planning, execution, monitoring and supervision of social development programs, from a perspective of a culture of peace and social cohesion, within the scope of their competence. While Indesol was the one who had the task of formulating said guidelines.
Regret action
Some opposition deputies lamented the disappearance of said institute and argued that this represents a serious setback for the human rights of association and participation in public affairs.
“Terrible setback in Human Rights and democracy, highlighting the rejection of the tireless and supportive work of the NGOs,” said Laura Barrera Fortoul, federal deputy (PRI).
For her part, Teresa Castell (PAN) said that “the destruction of institutions” is distinctive of the current administration. While Norma Aceves (PRI) explained that Indesol does not belong to any political party or six-year administration, “it is the result of the struggle of years, of thousands of people and CSOs who seek to improve their living conditions.”
maritza.perez@eleconomista.mx