Mexico is on the brink of making history as it prepares to elect its first female president. Claudia Sheinbaum and Xochitl Galvez are the two leading contenders in this historic election, which takes place on May 30, 2024. While both women have made significant strides in their respective careers, they face unique challenges as they seek to lead a country that continues to grapple with violence and security concerns.
Claudia Sheinbaum is a Mexican scientist and politician who has risen through the ranks of her party, the National Regeneration Movement (Morena), under the mentorship of current President Andrés Manuel López Obrador. She holds a Ph.D. in environmental engineering and was Mexico City's mayor from 2018 to 2021, making her the first woman to hold that position in the city's history.
Xochitl Galvez, on the other hand, is a Mexican lawyer and politician representing the National Action Party (PAN). She has served as Mexico's Secretary of Foreign Affairs since 2021 and was previously a senator from 2018 to 2021. Galvez is known for her strong stance against corruption and human rights abuses, particularly in the context of Mexico's ongoing drug war.
Despite their differences, both Sheinbaum and Galvez have expressed a commitment to addressing violence and security concerns in Mexico. However, these issues have overshadowed the glass ceiling being shattered by the election of a female president. According to recent data from the Executive Secretariat of the National Public Security System (SESNSP), at least 34 political candidates or applicants have been murdered since June 2023 as gangs try and influence those coming into power.
Mexico remains a dangerous place for women, with sky-high femicide rates for the region. As many as 11,852 femicides were recorded in the first three years of López Obrador's presidency alone. Security is the top voter concern and both Sheinbaum and Galvez have largely remained coy about their proposals regarding it.
Experts have been underwhelmed by the lack of new approaches to the security situation, stating that there is a connection between militarization and more bloodshed in the country since 2006. Incumbent López Obrador won the presidency in 2018 on a platform of demilitarizing the country's war against drug cartels, vowing to restore peace with 'hugs, not bullets.' However, he never really de-militarized public security.
A through line exists between militarization and gender-based violence in Mexico. Feminist groups in the country began documenting a 'dramatic increase in women being killed by firearms' after 2007 as well as women being targeted in the public sphere.
Sheinbaum and Galvez have also faced challenges related to their Jewish ancestry, which has remained a marginal aspect of the race. Sheinbaum is a Jewish scientist who rarely speaks about her origins but has expressed pride in them. Galvez, meanwhile, is married to a Jewish man and has been accused by some opposition parties of being too close to Israel.
As the election approaches, both women will need to address these issues head-on if they hope to win over voters and make a meaningful impact on Mexico's future.
