Institutional protocol to prevent and address gender-based violence in public universities through self-care

Gender-based violence in universities remains a structural problem that profoundly affects women's rights and well-being. This study aimed to analyze the University of Sonora's protocol for the prevention and response to this violence, assessing its effectiveness and limitations from a self-care perspective. To do so, a qualitative methodology was used that combined documentary analysis with legal interpretation by analogy, reviewing both national and international regulations. The results show that, although the protocol represents an important advance, its approach remains primarily reactive and punitive; that is, it acts after the violence has already occurred, without integrating self-care as a key strategy for its prevention. Furthermore, a legal and conceptual gap was detected that makes it difficult to recognize self-care as a fundamental right within university policies. In conclusion, including self-care—both at the individual and collective levels—in institutional policies would not only strengthen prevention but also boost resilience and help build more just, safe, and violence-free educational spaces. This approach offers an ethical and transformative alternative that goes beyond traditional responses, inviting us to rethink how universities can truly protect and support their communities