The Ambassador of Mexico to Nigeria, Mr Alfredo Miranda, said there is a 50:50 chance that the next President of Mexico will be a woman.
Ambassador Miranda spoke during the South and North America Day, where four Mexican films were screened at the Women International Film Festival Nigeria (WIFFEN) which held March 20 to 23, in Abuja.
Responding to one of the films Sara: Amor Y Revolucion, he said Sara the wife of Francisco Madero popularly called Pancho and the father of Democracy in Mexico, played an important role in the revolution, by supporting her husband, guiding him, and helping him author the most important manifestoes; The San Luis Manifesto of 1910 which called for the emancipation of the people against the 33 years autocratic leadership of General Profilio Diaz.
Under General Diaz’s rule, working class Mexicans were worked like slaves, labouring 40 to 50 hours at a stretch with low living wages, which led to a revolution.
The film which spotlights the revolution from a woman’s perspective he said showed the important role played in the revolution, walking side by side with men, carrying their guns.
While a woman served in Mexico government in 1958, six years after the death of Sara Romero Madero, Ambassador Miranda said women’s participation in governance and decision-making roles is one of the major challenges Mexico is working towards.
The country has made a huge advancement via a law mandating political parties balance their party candidates.
“This means 50 per cent male, and 50 percent female. And they should all be elected not only nominated. That means if there is like 20,000 posts to contest for during this major election in June 2, 2024, 50 per cent of those belongs to men, and the other 50 percent to women. That is why I am saying that the next president will be a woman.
“This year, we have two females and a male presidential candidate. If a woman wins, Mexico will have its first female president,” said the ambassador.
Whilst the other movies Rose Glasses and Condenda (Atonement) highlights domestic violence against women, and the shaming of women for something as natural/biological to them as their menses,
Ambassador Miranda said they not only represent Mexico’s “need for a revolution on gender balance but the efforts of many Mexican women who are trying to express their own situations or their own dramatic experiences.
“Our (Mexico) participation at WIFFEN is something to celebrate because Mexico and Nigeria are parallel to each other in many things. We share so many challenges. Our presence here is to share what’s happening in Mexico, and discover shared thoughts on these experiences.
He added that Mexico is ready to share its practices, legislation and all its done over the years on achieving equality for women.
“Fifty percent of the world are women, and they have to be involved in decision-making process. It is only through this equal approach that we are going to have a more balanced world”.
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