Udelar responds to attempted feminicide and gender violence concerns

Following an attempted feminicide at the Faculty of Medicine on September 1, the Universidad de la República (Udelar) community has initiated various reflection and action programs. The Central Directing Council (CDC) has tasked university leadership and gender commissions with organizing workshops, assemblies, and training sessions to address gender-based violence, harassment, and discrimination.

In response to the incident, the Open Commission for Equity and Gender (CAEG) held a meeting attended by approximately one thousand people, both in person and remotely. Additionally, the Progresa program launched the ‘Contigo’ strategy, providing safe spaces for students, faculty, and staff to discuss gender violence and institutional prevention mechanisms.

Parallel to the university response, students at Liceo 1 in Salinas have raised concerns regarding institutional negligence. Former students reported that the aggressor had a history of harassment and violence that went unaddressed by school authorities. Recent student protests at the high school highlighted a demand for accountability and a rejection of the institutional silence and the use of police intervention in educational settings.