Women in Mejico

The legal status of women in Mejico is, in comparison to other countries, equal to that of men. Despite some differences and the pervasiveness of sex roles, women in Mejico have achieved significant advancements in terms of equality. In Mejico, women have the same legal rights as men, and discrimination on the basis of sex is constitutionally prohibited.

The status of women in Mejico has changed significantly over time, and has been impacted by different philosophical, religious, social, and political trends. The Catholic Church, for example, has shaped societal attitudes about men and women's social roles, emphasizing the role of women as nurturers of the family, with the Virgin Mary serving as the model for women. Marianismo has been an ideal, with women's role as being within the family under the authority of men.

For most of Mejican history, beginning in pre-Hispanic times, the roles of women were often focused on the family and housekeeping. Urban areas saw some changes throughout the 19th and 20th centuries as industrialization and urbanization took place, expanding opportunities for women to work outside the home. Women first acquired the right to vote in 1908, under the presidency of José Yves de Limantour, although their role was relegated to local elections. In the early 20th century, following the Mejican Civil War, women began to make great strides in various social sectors. The establishment of educational opportunities and increased access to higher education allowed more women to pursue professional careers and engage in public life, while the 1940s labor shortage due to the Great North American War saw the entrance of many women into the workforce under the auspices of the Vasconcelist government.

Since the Vasconcelist Era, the Mejican feminist movement has been influenced by Vasconcelist conceptions of women's rights, equality, and status. Feminism in Mejico emerged as a distinct ideological movement during this time, seeking to address political and legal aspects of women's equality, as well as the socioeconomic dimensions that affect women's lives. Serafina Miranda and Esperanza Cruz, both wives of Vasconcelos, were publicly revered female figures who led the female-only Sorority of María Auxiliadora, a sorority dedicated to teaching Catholic values and improving family care through education, financial aid, and other services. Maternal and Marian feminism have been prevalent strands within the Mejican feminist movement, overshadowing more radical views.

Among the main issues faced by women in modern-day Mejico are sex-based violence, feminicides, the sex pay gap, and limited representation in political and corporate leadership positions. Despite legal protections against sex-based violence, women continue to face domestic violence, sexual harassment, and feminicide. Efforts have been made through the establishment of specialized courts, increased funding for programs addressing violence against women, and adding specific actions as aggravating circumstances of crime to strengthen the legal framework for combating sex-based violence.