Diversity in Spanish Speaking Country (Women in Mexico)
Mexico is the third-largest country in North America. With a population of over 120 million inhabitants, the United Mexican States comprises of diverse ethnic groups. Globally, Mexican society has the most significant number of Spanish speaking residents. Culturally, the country ‘s complex historical background is a result of the cultural exchanges between the original mesoamerican inhabitants and people of Spanish tradition. During the Spanish rule, Mexico became a ground for people of different cultures from Europe, Africa and Asia. The cultural diversity of Mexican inhabitants are as a result of the influence of familial relationships, gender, religion, place of residence and social class. Mexico is religiously diverse with the majority of the residents being Roman Catholic believers while others are evangelicals, protestants, Jehovah’s Witnesses and Seventh-day Adventists.
Over time, the societal status of women has improved
significantly. Civilization and urbanization have brought economic opportunities in big cities such as the capital city regardless of gender. However, the Roman Catholic religion in the country has significantly improved the perception and attitudes towards women. The doctrine emphasizes the role of women as family nurturers with the Virgin Mary as a leading example. The Mexican society deems women as people who have to remain within the family and be subordinate to their men due to influence of Marianismo culture. In the 20th century, Mexican women worked hard to gain equal social status within the community. However, Mexican women are subjects of discrimination and harassment from men who feel that they are more superior.
The political system of Mexico takes place within a framework of a federal democratic republic under the congressional policy of governance. The president of Mexico is the leader of both the state and the government. In the multi-party order, the federal government stands for the United Mexican States and is divided into the executive, judiciary and legislature under the Mexican constitution of 1917. The constituent states have a republic form of government with a basis on the congressional system. The president exercises executive power with the help of cabinet secretaries who are independent of the legislature. The legislature, on the other hand, comprises of the Senate of the Republic and the chamber of deputies. The judiciary consisting of the supreme court of justice of the nation exercises judicial law.
The politically, Mexico consists of four political parties: Institutional Revolutionary Party (PRI), National Action Party (PAN), Democratic Revolution Party (PRD) and the National Regeneration Movement (MORENA). Before 1953, Mexican women did not have the right to vote. Although women make up half of the total Mexican population, they are mostly absent from high political position in the states. Until 1953, women were not allowed to vote in national elections until the Mexican revolution. However, first ladies in the country have been influential in changing the perspective of women in politics in Mexico. Initially, women in Mexico could not hold any positions because of gender equality and the role of women in politics as controversial issues. Social and cultural injustices, societal insecurities and historical constructs contributed significantly to the lack of women in Mexican leadership positions.
In the past decade, the
responsibility of women in the political arena has gone through an evolution process, making them a growing force. Women have managed to go through the historical and social struggle with so many difficulties. Since politics in Mexico has been a male-dominated arena, the role of women in politics remains unexplored. However, there has been a significant number of female leaders who have held high political offices. However, currently, women represent half of Mexico’s population. As a result, congress comprises 37 % of women growth of over 10% increase from 2017. In the Senate, female leaders take up 34% of the seats. A decade ago, women ‘s composition in the same house was at 19%. Since independence from Spain, six women have been governors in Mexico in the states of Colima, Tlaxcala, Yucatan, Zacatecas and Mexico City.
Politically, one in every three women has a seat in congress. On the other hand, in a group of eleven ministers, two of them are females in Mexico’s Supreme Court of Justice while 20% of women are federal judges and magistrates. Also, in the Local Chamber of Deputies, 25% are women. On the other hand, 7% of females are mayors. Women such as Griselda Álvarez, who was the governor of Colima in 1979, changed the perspective about the role of women in political positions. Alvarez has become a role model for women who want to join social movements and political areas. The 50/50 gender quotas in Mexican leadership is an accelerator in the country to reduce inequality in society.
In conclusion, women in Mexico have not had easy times in the fight for equality and fair treatment in the community. However, women have proved over time that they can execute their roles in the same intellectual capacity as their male counterparts. Also, creating a female-friendly political environment in Mexico is a simple way of avoiding cultural injustices in the community. Women empowerment is an essential aspect in every society and politics is a way of creating a better Mexico where justice and equality are paramount.