Promote and strengthen gender equality in intimate relationships by encouraging men to question their role within a violent and sexist social system

In Mexico:

  • 70% of women have experienced violence in their lifetime. (International Federation for Human Rights)
  • 25.3% of women have experienced violence in a school environment. (National Survey on the Dynamics of Family Relations)
  • More than 17,000 femicides were recorded between 2018 and 2022, equivalent to approximately 10 women killed every day. (International Federation for Human Rights)
Shifting the conversation on masculinity, together

Founded in 2008, GENDES is an organization that works from the perspective of gender, with an emphasis on masculinity, in order to inspire reflection, intervention, research, and advocacy in Mexico. The goal is to promote and strengthen equal gender balance within relationships, working with men to question their role in a gender-biased, violent social system.

Over 1 050 men have taken part in two-hour weekly group sessions, in which participants are guided in constructing a road map to agree upon actions with their partners in order to prevent further violence. Through coordinated work with feminist organizations, founder Mauro Antonio Vargas Urías seeks to create an alternative group culture among men as a means to generate individual change.

As a member of the Kering Foundation’s community of social entrepreneurs, GENDES was selected by a jury of professionals and experts to receive support from the Kering Foundation, including a 6-month incubation program, professional mentoring, and access to the Kering Foundation’s network. This ground-breaking project, a tailored model for Latin America, marked the first time the Kering Foundation has awarded a social enterprise grant to an initiative working directly with men on the topic of masculinity.
The Kering Foundation’s support is aimed at enabling the organization to develop its pilot prevention program for children in Tuxtla, in the Chiapas region (Southern Mexico).

3 out of 4 women whose partners have attended Mauro Antonio Vargas Urías’ programs report reduced violence and feeling increasingly safe in their relationship.

In 2025:

283

children in Year 5 and Year 6 took part in prevention activities on gender-based violence.

100%

of children have more empathetic, compassionate, equitable and non-violent relationships after following the program.

50

parents and carers took part in the community activities offered by the organization.

Testimonial

❝For me these violent acts had always been normal, since it was what I had learned at home. Here I realized that they were actually violent behaviors. Fellow group members taught me how to resolve conflict.❞

GENDES beneficiary