Published on: 2026-11-02
Source: United Nations – United Nations –
An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.
Natali Minar
November 2, 2026 Human Rights
In the Mexican armed forces, the commander’s order must be obeyed without question. As investigative journalist Zoraida Gallegos found out, for many women in uniform this means that the order to enter an officer’s bedroom must be carried out just as unquestioningly.
“If an officer says: ‘Come into my bedroom,’ the woman will be obliged to comply. Otherwise, it will be considered a refusal to obey a superior’s order,” Gallegos told the UN News Service in an interview.
The investigation of sexual violence cases within the army this year brought Gallegos the Brich-Waldes Award for achievements in journalism and human rights, but at the same time made her a potential target in one of the most dangerous countries in the world for journalists.
“X-ray image of impunity”
In her investigation titled “Sexual Violence in Barracks: An X-ray of Impunity,” the journalist traced the fate of more than 520 women who reported sexual crimes over a period of twelve years.
Only three percent of these cases ended in guilty verdicts. In the remaining 97 percent of cases, the perpetrators effectively escaped punishment.
According to Gallegos, this is not about isolated incidents, but a systemic problem that exists not only in army units but also in military schools and hospitals.
The journalist also documented cases where high-ranking officials concealed facts of violence, while gender inequality and institutional barriers prevented victims from filing complaints.
Forced to comply
According to Gallegos, the roots of the problem largely lie in the military training system itself, which she describes as “an extremely hierarchical structure, built from the top down, where women are constantly taught to obey orders from superiors.” As a result, female servicemembers become vulnerable to officers whom they are obliged to obey.
The situation is exacerbated by deeply ingrained sexism, which affects both the distribution of responsibilities and career advancement. Women are most often directed towards work related to caregiving and medical service, even if their qualifications allow them to claim higher positions.
Forgive, forget, and continue service
Even women who manage to have their cases heard in court often have to endure retraumatization. Gallegos found that some court decisions contain sexist remarks or are completely devoid of gender sensitivity.
Inside the system itself, the psychological help provided to the female applicants, according to her, is often aimed at convincing them to forgive the aggressors, forget what happened, and continue their military careers.
Accused men often get off with recommendations and remarks instead of real punishment. “This is the most that happens to them,” the journalist claims.
To break the vicious cycle of silence and impunity, Gallegos believes it is necessary to increase the number of women in senior command and management positions in the military, as well as in the judicial system and prosecutorial bodies.
The harsh truth
Exposing these facts came at a high cost for Gallegos herself: she faced intimidation, veiled threats, and pressure. Nevertheless, the journalist continues to defend the right to access information of public interest, as well as the right of journalists to work independently and impartially.
In today’s Mexico, this requires considerable courage. UNESCO regularly ranks the country among the most dangerous in the world for press workers, despite the fact that it is not officially in a state of war.
A serious threat to journalists also comes from the fusion of organized crime with local authorities, the consequences of which are felt at all levels of the justice system. Reporters investigating political topics or the activities of criminal groups face threats, can be kidnapped, and even killed. Many are forced to leave the country and seek refuge abroad.
A deadly dangerous profession
According to UNESCO, which keeps a record of attacks on media workers worldwide, 154 journalists have been killed in Mexico over the past twenty years, eight of whom died since the beginning of this year.
The award received by Zoraida Gallegos is named after two journalists who became victims of such crimes: Miroslava Breach and Javier Valdez were killed because of their professional activities.
“They epitomized fearless journalism and sought to tell uncomfortable truths. Ultimately, such a stance cost them their lives. There should be no place for this in our country,” she said.
Please note; This information is raw content obtained directly from the information source. It is an accurate report of what the source claims and does not necessarily reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.