This October, Claudia Sheinbaum was handed the “baton of command,” marking the first time in Mexico's 200-year-old history that a woman is in power. The baton of command is used in some Indigenous communities in Mexico to represent political and spiritual authority. In this political context, it symbolizes not just a transition of power but also the continuation of the “fourth transformation” of the previous president, Andrés Manuel López Obrador (more commonly known as AMLO). Through receiving the baton, Sheinbaum is assuming the responsibility of continuing the fight against inequality and discrimination. This ceremony reinforces the idea that her presidency will be rooted in cultural diversity and the fight for equality.
Mexico joined the group of Latin American countries that have had women in power—Dilma Rousseff in Brazil, Cristina Kirchner in Argentina, and Michelle Bachelet in Chile, to name a few. To some, this might come as a surprise, as it is also a region with high rates of femicide and many gender disparities. Progress has been made, particularly in the political empowerment dimension. Mexico enacted gender parity laws in 2018 and is one of few Latin American countries that allows elective abortion. Despite Sheinbaum's historic win, she is inheriting a deeply machista and violent country, where 10 to 11 women are murdered each day. This paradoxical situation raises doubts on whether Sheinbaum will be able to govern with a gender perspective. After all, a woman in power does not necessarily mean that gender equality and gender policies will be enforced.
Who is Claudia Sheinbaum?
Sheinbaum’s background is promising. She is a scientist, physicist, and engineer who specialises in energy and climate change. She was part of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), which won a Nobel Peace Prize in 2007.
She is also not a new face to politics or to her predecessor’s party. She was Secretary of the Environment of Mexico City when AMLO was the Head of Government from 2000 to 2006. In 2014, she joined AMLO’s new party, the National Regeneration Movement (MORENA). The forming of MORENA marked a historic moment for Mexico, as it was a new party that broke away from the status quo. She became Head of Government of Mexico City under MORENA, making her the first female governor to hold this position.
This June, Sheinbaum won by a landslide, with around 58% of the vote, beating AMLO’s election numbers from 2018. This showed MORENA’s, and in turn, AMLO’s, strong popularity throughout Mexico. Critics and opponents are worried about her ability to emerge from AMLO’s shadow, given his personalistic and populist approach to politics. Throughout the years, AMLO has become an extraordinary leader with a cult-like following. His ability to mobilise people is one Sheinbaum does not have, so she will face the difficulty of balancing his policies with her own. She has been vocal about continuing AMLO’s “fourth transformation” of Mexico and other policies, such as his controversial judicial reform.
Two months in, Sheinbaum’s way of governance is already proving to be different. In the Mañaneras, a morning show established by AMLO, she shows herself in a more organised manner. The way she handles questions is orderly and more democratic. She does not attack her opponents in the same way that AMLO once did—a sentiment she has been promoting since her campaign, that she will be a less confronting and more conciliatory president.
Criticism from feminist groups
Despite her strong political profile, and the milestone Sheinbaum marked for women in Mexico, several factors point to her presidency as a mere symbolic win for women. She has received widespread criticism from feminist groups because of the seeming continuity of AMLO’s tenure. Sheinbaum has supported AMLO’s militarisation of the country to combat organised crime, a strategy that both AMLO and herself have praised as efficient but has proven to be the exact opposite—AMLO’s term was declared the most violent in the country’s history. Surely, it is difficult to maintain a feminist stance while supporting militarisation strategies, as this can lead to violations of human rights and can further exacerbate violence. Women’s rights and militarisation do not seem to be able to coexist.
Mixed feelings among feminist groups also come from her record as Head of the Government of Mexico City, where she met feminist protests with repression. Under her command, the protestors were met with excessive use of force. She did not seek collaborative work with feminist movements or engage in fluid dialogue—actions that are essential for a ‘feminist government.’
One must be wary that women face ‘political gender violence’. Sheinbaum will likely face harsher criticism than her male counterparts because she will be held to a higher standard. This does not mean one cannot have a critical vision, but it is important to keep this in mind when evaluating her government. Moreover, reducing her win and government to that of a “puppet” of AMLO could be a sexist act in itself.
Shall we remain cautiously optimistic?
In a message titled Ojalá, señora presidenta writer Alma Delia Murillo shows a cautious hope towards Sheinbaum’s win. She understands that while this is a historical moment, being a woman in Mexico is paradoxical and complex. Mexico has had a history of sexist presidents, silencing the mothers of the thousands of children that have disappeared, of violence against women, of classism, and racism.
“I hope that having a woman president will translate into thinking about public policies from a culture of equity and care, that the central strategy is to build peace and find ways to stop the war that no previous administration has dared to dismantle.” (translated from Spanish)
Sheinbaum’s win is a win for women’s representation, but it is also a reminder that a woman in power is not a guarantee of justice. Drawing lessons from Alma Delia Murrillo’s quote, Sheinbaum needs to show concrete policies that target equality for all. There needs to be dialogue. There needs to be collaboration with organisations that have been fighting for justice. There needs to be a government capable of recognising the crises it is facing. At the same time, there needs to be a public that is involved and makes demands on its government. Without this, Sheinbaum risks being a hollow symbol rather than a transformative force.
Feminism is not just about celebrating individual success, but also about addressing the power structures that perpetuate inequality. Her presence in power is not an end in itself; it is part of a broader struggle for social justice. She is both a symbol of progress and a reminder that these are complex and multifaceted issues.
Sheinbaum has claimed that “it’s time for women.” It will not be easy. She faces a deeply divided and violent country, and it will take more than a baton to conduct it.
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