What is MESECVI?

The effective implementation of the Convention requires a process of continuous and independent evaluation and support. To this end, in October 2004, the General Assembly of the Organization of American States (OAS), created the Follow-up Mechanism to the Belém do Pará Convention (MESECVI) to contribute to the consolidation of the objectives established in the Convention and establish a system of technical cooperation among the States Parties.

MESECVI analyzes progress in the implementation of the Convention by the States Party, as well as persistent challenges to an effective State response to violence against women.

MESECVI is a systematic and permanent multilateral evaluation methodology that is based on exchange and technical cooperation between the States Party to the Convention and a Committee of Experts.

  • It is a methodology: this means that it uses a set of procedures, such as the system of indicators, to obtain information on the performance of the States in complying with the Convention.
  • It is evaluative: it means that it observes the performance of the States and analyzes the progress of the situation of women and their right to live a life free of violence.
  • It is multilateral because it involves multiple actors: the 32 States, the Committee of Experts, Civil Society, and the Secretariat.
  • It is systematic and permanent because, through evaluation and follow-up rounds, it is in constant operation.
  • It is of exchange because it is based on a dialogue between the mechanism and the States.
  • It is technical cooperation because the Mechanism accompanies the States and advises them on, for example, the drafting of laws and regulations and the design of public policies or strategies that contribute to progress in guaranteeing a life free of violence for women.