Mexico femicide law reform

In mid‑July 2026 Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum introduced a comprehensive General Law to prevent, investigate, sanction and repair the harm caused by femicide. The first snapshot (14 July) reports that she signed the draft and sent it to the Congress of the Union, outlining a uniform definition of femicide, a single penal code, mandatory investigation protocols for all 32 states, and severe penalties of 50‑70 years with numerous aggravating circumstances. It also created a national registry for children orphaned by femicide and guaranteed victim assistance.

A second snapshot (27 July) details the next legislative step: the President presented the initiative to the Senate, noting that it must also be approved by the Chamber of Deputies before becoming law nationwide. The proposal seeks to amend both the Federal Penal Code and state penal codes to harmonise definitions and sanctions, addressing the fragmented legal landscape and previous opposition that had tried to downgrade the crime. The effort builds on earlier reforms and aims to eliminate impunity for gender‑based killings.

Together the snapshots trace the law’s progression from signing and referral to Congress, through Senate debate, highlighting its ambition to create a uniform, stringent legal framework against femicide across Mexico.