Mexico Is About to Make History
For the first time in history, Mexico is very likely to elect a woman for President, next year 2024. Never before has there been a woman President in Mexico. It was always a tradition and it was always expected for Mexico to have men as President, leading the country.
Despite this tradition of men being the ones to take the lead roles, there had also been women that have had the courage to run for President and become candidates, like for instance, Josefina Vazquez Mota in 2012. However, Mexico has two current female candidates which rises the opportunities for the country to have a female president for the upcoming year. The candidates and a lot of people think that the country is ready to be led by women.
Who Are The Current Candidates for Next President
There a two main candidates right now that the main political groups have chosen.
The main opposition, the Broad Front for Mexico, chose, Xóchitl Gálvez an outspoken senator and politician, a computer engineer, and businesswoman to represent their candidate.
On the other side, the governing Morena party picked the former mayor of Mexico City, Claudia Sheinbaum a politician, scientist, and academic to be its nominee.
These two woman have made great impacts and a lot of people support them, and want them to become the next leaders of Mexico. They want for this country to become a better place and for it to have better opportunities and more gender equality.
How Are The Candidates Making An Impact In Mexico Despite the “Machismo”
Them standing up for their country truly shows how courageous, determined and strong women they are. This moment truly demonstrates how they are breaking “gender stereotypes.” Especially, when Mexico is predominantly led and dominated by men.
The term for this problem that it’s used by Mexican people is “machismo.” In English it translates to “machoism,” “male chauvinism,” or male pride. This is when men feel like they are the only ones allowed to have power and belittle women a lot and make them feel like they are worth nothing without a man on their side. Well, in Mexico this is an issue that has been present throughout its history and it is still occurring.
Which is why this presidency and these current candidates make this moment more special and empowering for women in the country. Despite if there are man that think that they are not going to accomplish anything for the country. This accomplishment of them getting into the elections and announcing their candidacy speaks volumes of what they are capable of doing and can do.
Insight of Other Politicians
Everybody has their own opinion for Mexico’s probability of having its first female president. In fact Josefina Vazquez Mota said, “It’s extraordinary in a patriarchal country.” This statement shows that she is amazed and thinks it’s incredible that these candidates are willing to stand up for a country that is mostly patriarchal.
Also the current President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador (AMLO) is a very strong supporter for Sheinbaum. He has even been her mentor as a politician. Moreover, AMLO has put women in important positions and support women even though he has been accused of otherwise. Additionally, AMLO announced that Sheinbaum had defeated five internal party rivals which were all men.
Also Morena, Sheinbaum’s party, controls 22 of Mexico’s 32 states and AMLO is still very admired and popular. This gives Sheinbaum a huge advantage for the elections. Overall, Mexico is ready for this change and for the next President. This is going to be a very tough election, which will be held June 2024.
Written by Jeanette Sanchez
Sources:
AL JAZEERA: Mexico will elect a female president, but Mexican women will still lose
The New York Times: A Historic First for Mexico as Two Women Vie for the Presidency
Reuters: In “macho” Mexico, stage set for first female president
NPR WBEZ Chicago: Mexico is on course to elect its first woman president
Spectrum News NY1: Mexico likely to get first female president as top parties choose 2 women as candidates
Featured Images Courtesy of Rob Young Flickr Page-Creative Commons License
Inset Image by Benjamín Anaya / Secretaría de Cultura de la CDMX Courtesy of Secretaría de Cultura de la Ciudad de México Flickr Page-Creative Commons License
