Polls indicate they may well be right. With her closest rival, Xóchitl Gálvez, also a woman, and the only male candidate trailing far behind, Mexico seems set to break centuries of male dominance in its highest office.
Speaking in fluent English, Sheinbaum, a member of the governing Morena party, remarked on the significance of having two leading female candidates. “It’s a symbol for Mexico. I think it’s also a symbol for the world,” she told EMC News. Sheinbaum, the former mayor of Mexico City, noted the shift towards gender parity in the country, highlighted by the presence of many women in the cabinet and as state governors. “I see young girls who are excited that a woman is going to be president. And it changes the culture for women and for men.”
However, Sheinbaum acknowledged the persistent issue of gender-based violence in Mexico, where around 11 women are murdered daily on average. Veracruz, one of the five worst states for femicides, recently saw the brutal murder of 23-year-old Isamar Galindo, a grim reminder of the challenges ahead. “Profound cultural changes don’t happen overnight,” Sheinbaum said, addressing the deep-rooted problems of machismo and gender-based violence in Mexican society.
Throughout her campaign, Sheinbaum has consistently emphasized her commitment to continuing the social and political reforms initiated by her mentor, President Andrés Manuel López Obrador. These reforms, referred to by supporters as the “Fourth Transformation of Mexico,” include popular social development measures such as student grants and a universal state pension. Sheinbaum has praised López Obrador’s policies, which have garnered widespread support and could significantly boost her chances at the polls.
Her main rival, Xóchitl Gálvez, has criticized President López Obrador as a populist and portrays Sheinbaum as his puppet. Gálvez, running for a conservative opposition coalition, has accused the government of cronyism and mismanagement of social spending, arguing that millions remain in extreme poverty despite these programs.
In the backdrop of the campaign, high in the Veracruz mountains, lies the community of Ixhuatlán del Café, home to FemCafe, a women’s coffee cooperative. Unlike most Mexican agricultural co-ops, where women are often excluded from decision-making roles, FemCafe is entirely run by women. “It’s about recognizing that structural inequality – that women have much less access to land than men,” says Gisela Illescas, the cooperative’s founder. She emphasized the importance of having a gender-conscious leader who can address these disparities, particularly in sectors like agriculture.
As Sheinbaum’s rally in Orizaba continues, the crowd chants “la primera!” (the first), celebrating the prospect of Mexico’s first female president. While other Latin American countries like Brazil, Chile, and Argentina have had female leaders, a woman at the helm in Mexico is both significant and long overdue.
The real challenge, however, will be dismantling decades of sexism, inequality, and gender-based violence in a deeply patriarchal society. Electing a female president could mark a crucial step towards this goal, but the journey towards profound cultural change will require sustained effort and commitment from the nation’s leaders and citizens alike.
