**Claudia Sheinbaum Advances Women’s Rights with Constitutional Reform Initiatives**
On October 3, 2024, President Claudia Sheinbaum Pardo made a significant move toward gender equality in Mexico by submitting a comprehensive package of reform initiatives to the Senate. These proposals aim to amend six articles of the Constitution and seven secondary laws to enhance support and protection for women across the nation.
“We are committed to introducing these initiatives focused on women,” Sheinbaum declared, emphasizing the federal government’s duty to uphold women’s rights. The proposed amendments underscore three key pillars: substantial equality, the right to live free from violence, and the eradication of wage disparities.
In her morning press conference held at the National Palace’s Treasury Hall, and with her female cabinet members present, President Sheinbaum outlined these crucial points. Minerva Citlalli Hernández Mora, head of the Ministry of Women, explained that the changes target Articles 4, 21, 41, 73, 116, and 123 of the Constitution.
The proposed constitutional modifications include:
1. Ensuring substantial equality for women in the Constitution.
2. Guaranteeing equal pay for equal work, regardless of gender.
3. Expanding the mandate for gender-parity cabinets in federal and state administrations.
4. Strengthening protections against digital violence (aligned with the Olimpia Law) and measures ensuring aggressors leave the household.
5. Enhancing protections against so-called surrogate violence.
6. Mandating all states to have prosecutors dedicated to gender-based crimes.
7. Requiring security and justice institutions to approach their duties with a gender perspective.
8. Establishing the constitutional right to a life free from violence for all citizens.
9. Amplifying state responsibilities to ensure women’s rights and protection from violence.
10. Allowing federal authorities to take protective measures against gender-based state crimes.
11. Creating a National Registry for protective measures for women, adolescents, girls, and boys for better coordination across government levels.
Ernestina Godoy Ramos, the Chief Legal Advisor to the Federal Executive, highlighted that these constitutional changes would pave the way for wide-ranging legal reforms, including the formal recognition of the gender wage gap.
Ariadna Montiel Reyes, head of the Ministry of Welfare, introduced a new pension program for older women, starting with those aged 63 and 64. Registration begins on Monday, October 7, 2024, lasting two months, with financial support expected to start in January 2025. The program will eventually provide bi-monthly payments of 3,000 pesos.
Addressing budget concerns, Sheinbaum and Montiel Reyes confirmed that 23 billion pesos would be allocated for this initiative in 2025, emphasizing the availability of resources to implement the program.
The President reinforced that the constitutional reform would outlaw wage discrimination, not just in labor law but within the Constitution itself. “Women athletes, and all women workers, deserve equal pay—that’s our goal,” she asserted. She confirmed that these rights could be legally pursued, as pay disparities and violence against women stem from discrimination and sexism.
**Secondary Article: Recent Developments in Gender Equality Initiatives in Mexico**
Recently, there has been a notable progress toward achieving gender equality in Mexico, with various initiatives and policy changes introduced to secure women’s rights. In addition to the constitutional reforms proposed by President Claudia Sheinbaum, other significant measures are being discussed and implemented.
One of the key focuses in recent reforms is the protection against digital violence, a growing concern in the digital era. The adaptation of the Olimpia Law has been widely supported, aiming to hold perpetrators of digital gender violence accountable and ensuring a safer online environment for women.
Moreover, efforts are being made at both federal and state levels to ensure gender parity in government positions. Several states have already started implementing this policy, encouraging more female representation and balance in political roles.
The wage gap continues to be a focal point in gender equality discussions. With recent data revealing persistent disparities, activists and policymakers push for stricter enforcement of equal pay regulations and greater transparency in corporate payrolls.
In the societal arena, community organizations and advocacy groups play a crucial role in educating and empowering women, particularly in rural areas, about their rights and available legal recourses. These grassroots movements help bridge gaps in access and implementation of new laws.
As Mexico strives to position itself as a leader in gender equality in Latin America, these initiatives and reforms indicate a strong, continued effort to uphold and advance women’s rights, setting a precedent for future developments in the region.