UUFSMA: Mexican Women’s Rights Progress 

Sunday, March 3, 10:30am 

Mexican Women’s Rights Progress

Alejandra Cervantes

Historically, Mexican women have had far fewer rights and protections than men. But, according to Alejandra Cervantes, this Sunday’s speaker at the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship, things are slowly beginning to change.

Over the last 20 years, Mexico has progressed considerably towards the recognition of women as subjects of rights and reducing the historical disadvantages between men and women. Some examples include legislation in favor of women, which has given them more access to a life free of violence, more political participation, better health services, access to higher education, and employment with social security benefits.

In 2014, Mexico amended its constitution to require gender parity for candidacies for the federal and state legislatures. As a result, in the Mexican congress seated on Dec. 1, 2018, women make up 49 percent of the lower house and 51 percent of the senate. Mexiconow ranks fourthin the world for women’s legislative representation. And it is the only country with an elected senate that is majority female. Furthermore, the second most important political position in the country (mayor of Mexico City) also went to a woman. At the subnational level, women make up 50 percent of most state legislatures.

Domestic violence generated at the hands of male partners is a pandemic. Ana Güezmes, the Representative of UN Women in Mexico, states that 63 percent of women have suffered abuse by men. As a result, new laws in the Federal Criminal Code specify domestic violence as a serious act punishable by a term of imprisonment of between 1 and 7 years and a fine, as well as the loss of rights in respect of the victim, including inheritance and parental rights. The Federation and 27 federative entities criminalize marital rape and define sexual abuse as a criminal offense. Other advances include the creation of a national health care service, the decriminalization of abortion, and more women in the labor and educational market.

Alejandra Cervantes holds an MA in Education from Incarnate Word University and a BA in Language Teaching from UNAM. She has worked for several faculties and language centers at UNAM, including the one in San Miguel de Allende. Her interests are related to the innovation and use of technology in education, learning strategies, and gender studies.

For more information about the UUFSMA, including our Children’s Religious Education program, Social Action outreach, weekly discussion groups, social activities, and Care Team, join us any Sunday at 10:30 a.m. at the Hotel La Aldea or check out our website atuufsma.org.

Our fellowship was born in 1987 when a small group of expatriate religious liberals came together to meet as Unitarian Universalists in San Miguel de Allende. The fellowship has been active and thriving ever since. Every UU church has it’s own flavor, and we are no exception. We are a combination of expats and visitors, each actively engaged and contributing to this wonderful Mexican community we love. Because there is a coming, going, and returning aspect, our spiritual community is extremely fluid.  There is a magic in San Miguel which draws us in and binds us together—both as members of the church and of the larger community. Our programming is led by visiting ministers, community leaders, and church members, so the variety is lively. We have opportunities to meet as UU’s each week at discussion groups, breakfasts, luncheons, and in various other ways. Depending on the season, attendance fluctuates between 40 and 140. Our primary focus is on funding social action within the surrounding community. We love good music, good discussion, good food, and having visitors. We invite you to join us any Sunday morning.

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