A Walk to Remember: Women Transforming the Fight for Equality

As a millennial, it's easy to take for granted the hard-won human rights our predecessors fought for. I still remember the stories my mom and grandmother shared about gaining the right to vote in Mexico in 1953. They would often emphasize how “lucky” I was to be born male, as they were unfortunately barred from certain professions, even if those professions were their passion. Women in Mexico, as in many countries around the world, lacked basic labor rights. My mother had to participate in the Miss Mexico beauty pageant in the 1980s to pay her college tuition. She won first place as Miss Mexico, but unfortunately, due to a misogynistic mindset, she was not able to work as a lawyer, as she had always dreamed.

However, significant progress has been made over the years. Both women and the LGBTQ+ community have gained more rights and better labor protections. Yet, despite this progress, a substantial gender gap remains worldwide, even in 2024. According to UN Women, as of June 1, 2024, only 28 women serve as heads of state or government across 27 countries. Only six countries have achieved gender parity in their parliaments, with 50% or more women in single or lower houses: Rwanda (61%), Cuba (56%), Nicaragua (54%), Andorra (50%), Mexico (50%), New Zealand (50%), and the United Arab Emirates (50%).

The disparities are particularly stark in STEM fields, especially in science and engineering. As of March 2024, the gender pay gap in science was 13.1%, while in engineering it was 9.5%. This makes me wonder what the future holds for us in a male-dominated world. However, a significant shift has occurred in Mexico with the election of Claudia Sheinbaum as Mexico's new president. Her victory is seen as a major step forward for Mexico, a country known for its macho culture. She is the first woman to win a general election in North America, comprising the United States, Mexico, and Canada. Nevertheless, another critical play could be unfolding in the United States, with Kamala Harris as a presidential candidate. Could this be the next decisive move that changes the game for both Mexico and the United States. in terms of politics and labor laws?

I truly advocate that no matter whether you're Black, white, Hispanic, or Asian, young or old. rich or poor, gay or straight, man or woman, we all deserve to have the same opportunities everywhere. During the presidency of Andrés Manuel López Obrador in Mexico, several significant labor reforms were enacted, aimed at improving workers' rights and promoting fair labor practices. One of the most notable changes was the overhaul of the labor justice system, which included the creation of independent labor courts, replacing the previous conciliation and arbitration boards. This reform aimed to expedite the resolution of labor disputes and reduce corruption. Additionally, there was a strong emphasis on democratizing labor unions, requiring transparent elections and greater worker participation in union decision-making. The administration also implemented a substantial increase in the minimum wage, addressing long-standing concerns about low wages in Mexico and duplicating employees’ PTO.

Under Sheinbaum’s administration, we can expect to see continued emphasis on improving workers’ rights, especially for those in vulnerable sectors. Her commitment to social justice is likely to drive policies that promote fair wages, better working conditions, and greater protections for workers in the informal economy, who often lack the benefits and security afforded to those in formal employment. Additionally, Sheinbaum’s background in environmental science may influence labor laws related to green jobs and sustainable industries, aligning economic growth with environmental responsibility.

Kamala Harris has been a vocal advocate for workers’ rights throughout her career, emphasizing the need for equitable labor laws that protect the most vulnerable. During her time as attorney general of California, she took on major corporations to ensure they adhered to fair labor practices, and as vice president, she continues to push for policies that support working families, such as paid family leave, affordable childcare, and stronger protections against workplace discrimination.

Other countries where women have been the head of state include New Zealand, wherePrime Minister Jacinda Ardern extended paid parental leave from 18 to 26 weeks, benefiting both mothers and fathers. Her government implemented a living wage policy for public sector workers, significantly improving pay for many low-income workers. New Zealand under Ardern became one of the first countries to introduce paid domestic violence leave, allowing victims to take time off work to deal with the effects of abuse.

Angela Merkel’s tenure in Germany saw the introduction of the Elterngeld policy, offering parental leave and financial support to families. This policy was a key factor in encouraging higher birth rates and greater gender equality in the workplace. In 2015, Merkel’s government introduced Germany’s first nationwide minimum wage, improving wages for millions of workers.

Female leaders have often focused on increasing gender equality, improving parental leave policies, raising minimum wages, and enhancing labor rights and protections for vulnerable workers. Their leadership has often led to significant advancements in social and labor policies, though the extent and nature of these changes vary depending on the country’s context. The rise of Sheinbaum and Harris is part of a broader trend of women taking on leadership roles across the globe, each bringing unique perspectives and driving significant policy changes, particularly in labor law.