Regina Tamés
Executive Director
Mexico City
Mexico
2012
2011
5255-5658-6684 ext 233
visible

Regina Tamés is the new Executive Director of Information Group on Reproductive Choice. Regina is a Mexican lawyer, who has vast experience in the fields of human rights, reproductive rights and advocacy, having held positions with the Center for Reproductive Rights, the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights in Mexico and the Planned Parenthood Federation of America.

The Grupo de Información en Reproducción Elegida (GIRE, Information Group on Reproductive Choice) is a non-profit, non-governmental organization established in 1992 to provide and distribute information on reproductive rights, so that these rights are recognized and respected in Mexico. In particular, our work is focused on the issue of abortion in our country.

GIRE’s work targets decision makers and public officials from the three branches of government, as well as opinion leaders and the media.

Within the debate on abortion, the media has traditionally represented only the most extreme positions, making it difficult to understand this delicate issue as a public health and social justice problem. A lack of current, objective information on the topic made it difficult for people to form their own opinions.

For this reason, since its foundation, GIRE has set out to produce and disseminate the greatest amount of information on abortion as possible, incorporating the bioethical and social perspectives, as well as the legal and religious issues that accompany the debate. GIRE has also focused on tracking changes in legislation and the practice of abortion in Mexico and around the world.

This focus brings into question those positions that ignore the realities of clandestine abortion and the health problems - and even death - that can result from this practice.

An ethical approach to the debate recognizes the role of each person’s conscience in making reproductive decisions.

It is from both of these perspectives that GIRE aims to promote a rational discussion that addresses the issue of abortion without interference from dogma or prejudice. This approach frames abortion as an issue of public health and social justice in the context of women’s human rights.

Through its information provision and distribution, GIRE strives to build a bridge of communication among those who defend or study reproductive rights, but whose professional or social circumstances keep them from sharing their knowledge garnered in their respective professions with one another. Health professionals, legislators, government officials, lawyers, and feminists all have a great deal to contribute in support of abortion rights as human rights.

Institutional Consolidation and Development

Throughout its 18 years, GIRE has secured a prominent position among organizations working on the recognition of and respect for reproductive rights in Mexico.

Marta Lamas, founder of GIRE and current president of the Board of Directors, has been a key figure in the institution’s development. María Luisa Sánchez Fuentes - staff member at GIRE since its beginning - assumed the role of Executive Director in 2004.

GIRE's Board of Directors designated Regina Tamés as the new Executive Director, effective April 2011. Regina is a lawyer, who has vast experience in the fields of human rights, reproductive rights and advocacy. Her direction at GIRE will strengthen the organization’s expertise in the legal and normative framework for reproductive rights in Mexico and sharpen its legal strategies with her experience and knowledge.

Achievements

  • Winner of the Mexico City Human Rights Commission’s Hermila Galindo Recognition for organizations who work to defend women’s human rights, November 2007
     
  • Played a critical role in the decriminalization of Abortion in Mexico City, Spring 2007
     
  • GIRE has become a key reference point for reproductive rights information in Mexico among policy and decision makers, NGOs, opinion leaders and the media.
     
  • A leading disseminator of specialized materials on reproductive and sexual rights throughout Mexico.
     
  • Has fostered a public debate on the issue of reproductive rights including abortion rights in the public and in the media.
     
  • Has turned the spotlight on a series of reproductive rights violations and advocated for justice via strategic litigation.
  • Has trained government officials, including policy and decision makers, in reproductive and sexual rights.
     
  • Created the largest single library collection of reproductive and sexual rights materials in Mexico.
     
  • Collaborates with national, regional and international reproductive rights organizations.

Sessions I'm Associated With

2011

Monday 25 July 2011: 4:00pm - 5:20pm