Mexico: Gender Perspective and Equality Decree

The President of Mexico, Claudia Sheinbaum, has sent a Bill to the Mexican Congress to amend Articles 4; 21; 41; 73; 116; 122 and 123 from the Mexican Political Constitution. This Bill implies substantial changes in favour of substantive equality, gender perspective and wage equality. This Bill focuses on five key points that seek to transform the labour and security context in the country, focusing especially on women, adolescents, boys and girls. Below, we make a description of these changes.

 

1. Right to substantive equality

The reform establishes that the State guarantees the exercise of women’s right to substantive equality. Substantive equality is defined as that, which is achieved by eliminating discrimination that limits the recognition, enjoyment or exercise of women’s human rights and fundamental freedoms in the workplace. This implies providing access to the same opportunities for women and men, considering the biological, social and cultural differences that exist between them.

 

2. Protection for a life free of violence

The reform also emphasizes that the State must ensure the protection of women, adolescents, boys and girls so that they may live a life free of violence. This includes reinforcing security and safeguarding the freedoms, integrity and patrimony of these vulnerable populations.

 

3. Public security with a gender perspective

The reform introduces the principle of gender perspective in public security actions. This implies a methodology that makes it possible to identify and question discrimination, inequality and exclusion of women, often justified by biological differences between genders. With this perspective, it seeks to promote structural changes that facilitate gender equality in public security institutions.

 

4. Gender Parity in Executive Branch Appointments

In the administrative sphere, Article 41 establishes that the appointments of persons in the public administration of the federal executive branch, as well as in their equivalents in the federal entities, must observe the principle of gender parity. This seeks an equitable representation of men and women in leadership positions within the public administration.

 

5. Administration of justice with a gender perspective

Another of the central points of the reform is the incorporation of a gender perspective in the administration of justice. Article 73 proposes that federal authorities may intervene in protection measures against gender violence against women and in crimes related to this type of violence. Articles 116 and 122 establish that the administration of justice must be carried out with a gender perspective both nationally, and in Mexico City, promoting the creation of specialized prosecutors’ offices to investigate and punish crimes of gender violence.

 

6. Reduction of the Gender Pay Gap

Finally, the reform also contemplates the implementation of mechanisms to reduce and eradicate the gender pay gap. This measure seeks to ensure that men and women receive equal remuneration for their work, eliminating gender-based pay disparities.

 

With these changes, the reform on substantive equality and gender perspective, seeks a significant transformation in the labour and public safety culture in Mexico, promoting an environment of respect, equality and justice for all people, especially women. This is congruent with one of the first commitments taken by President Claudia Sheinbaum, in her inauguration speech when she took office as President of the Republic. Likewise, Mexico is increasingly aligning itself with the international legal framework to which it is a party, complying with all its international obligations. This Bill represents a crucial step towards a more equitable society committed to gender equality in all areas.