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-Editorial
Mexico City.- On October 1, 2024, Mexico’s history changed forever with the swearing-in of Dr. Claudia Sheinbaum Pardo as the nation’s first female president. In an unprecedented event, Sheinbaum became the first woman to hold the office, marking a monumental shift toward gender equality and political inclusion in the country.
Claudia Sheinbaum, a highly accomplished woman with an impressive background in both science and politics, was nominated as the presidential candidate for the Morena party under the leadership of Andrés Manuel López Obrador (AMLO). She emerged as a key figure in the Fourth Transformation, a movement aimed at reforming Mexico’s institutions to reduce corruption, inequality, and poverty. Her presidency represents not only a personal achievement but also a broader symbol of Mexico’s commitment to progress and inclusivity.
Born in Mexico City on June 24, 1962, Sheinbaum has Jewish roots, with her family hailing from Lithuania and Bulgaria. From a young age, she exhibited a deep interest in science, inspired by her family, where scientific discussions were a regular part of daily life. She studied Physics at the National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM) and later earned a master’s degree and a Ph.D. in Energy Engineering. Her scientific career included participation in the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, which won the Nobel Peace Prize in 2007.
Sheinbaum’s public administration career began in 2000 when she was appointed Secretary of the Environment for Mexico City during López Obrador’s term as mayor. Her role in government grew steadily over the years, eventually leading to her election as mayor of Mexico City in 2018, where she focused on environmental policy and urban infrastructure.
After stepping down as mayor in June 2023, Sheinbaum was chosen as Morena’s presidential candidate, marking a historic moment for Mexican politics. Her candidacy not only represented the culmination of her long political career but also the possibility of transformative leadership under the banner of the Fourth Transformation.
On October 1, Sheinbaum took office, first addressing the Congress of the Union and then delivering a speech to the people of Mexico from the Zócalo in Mexico City. Her speech, widely praised for its precision and emotional depth, highlighted the historic significance of women in Mexican politics and the beginning of a new chapter in the nation’s public life.
“Today, October 1, 2024, marks the start of the Second Floor of the Fourth Transformation of Mexico’s Public Life. And today, after 200 years of the Republic and 300 years of the colonial era, women have arrived to lead the destiny of our beautiful nation,” Sheinbaum declared. Her words resonated with the crowd as she paid tribute to the women who had fought for this historic moment, from renowned national heroines to the countless unnamed women who, through their daily efforts, dreamed of a future where gender did not determine one’s destiny.
Sheinbaum emphasized her pledge to govern for all Mexicans, under the principles of “Mexican Humanism,” a philosophy that would guide her administration. “I am a mother, a grandmother, a scientist, and a woman of faith. And today, by the will of the people of Mexico, I am the Constitutional President of the United Mexican States. I will govern for all, and you can be assured that I will put my knowledge, my strength, my history, and my very life in the service of the people and the nation,” she affirmed.
Sheinbaum outlined several key initiatives during her speech, including:
– Reforming the electoral system to enhance participatory democracy through measures like referendums and recall elections.
– Creating a new Anti-Corruption and Good Governance Secretariat to replace the existing Public Function Secretariat.
– Ensuring that energy and basic food prices do not rise above inflation levels.
– Developing a 100% electric car designed and manufactured in Mexico, symbolizing her commitment to technological innovation and sustainability.
– Expanding social programs, including financial support for women aged 60-64, scholarships for public school students, and house-to-house healthcare services for the elderly.
– Strengthening anti-corruption efforts and improving public health through initiatives such as the “Wellbeing Pharmacies” to ensure affordable access to medicines.
– Fostering gender equality by enshrining women’s substantive equality in the Mexican Constitution, mandating equal pay for equal work, and implementing anti-violence legislation across all states.
Sheinbaum emphasized her commitment to gender equality and women’s rights, proposing constitutional reforms that would ensure equal pay, paritary cabinets in local and state governments, and the extension of key gender-based laws such as the “Olympia Law” and regulations on vicarious violence.
Sheinbaum’s election marks not just a personal triumph but a significant milestone in Mexico’s political landscape. Her presidency promises to usher in a new era of progress, with a focus on environmental sustainability, social justice, and economic innovation. As Mexico’s first female president, she embodies the aspirations of a country moving toward a more inclusive and equitable future.
In her closing remarks, Sheinbaum reiterated the historic significance of her presidency, stating, “Today, we have arrived—all of us women.” With this powerful declaration, Dr. Claudia Sheinbaum Pardo committed herself to leading Mexico into a new chapter of transformation, equality, and hope for all its citizens.
