Through work, women have been able to
cross the distance that separates her from man.
Work is the only thing that can guarantee you complete freedom.
Simone de Beauvoir.
I write this column on May 10, “Mother’s Day”a of the most relevant dates in Mexico. This is the fourth year in which I will spend without the presence of my motherwho departed this earthly world after dedicating his entire life to breeding his daughters. For me and my sister, this day also has great importance.
Each May 10 It is a day in which emotions surface, as I remember the mother who, 35 years ago, quit her job to dedicate herself to my upbringing, giving all her love and energy to my education. Back then, she faced the pressure of even harsher stereotypes that dictated that a mother should stay at home, and that working outside her home made her “a bad mother.” Fortunately, today the scenario is changing and I am fortunate to witness how a feminist woman can become president, generating a transcendental change in Mexico. Maybe I will have to experience what my mother couldn’t.
Moms play a fundamental role in society, since they are the ones who mostly express the most affection and act as the main educators. According to the National Institute of Geography and Statistics, there are 38 million mothers who celebrate the iconic May 10 and 31.58% of them work informally or want to work, but are prevented from being the main caregivers due to social responsibilities. that they attribute to the women of “caregivers”.
Furthermore, it is pointed out that 6 out of 10 women raise their sons and daughters alonewhich represents an increase compared to 5 years ago, when the figure was 3 out of 10. These single mothers face discrimination, stigma and violence, unfortunately a daily reality in our country.
The National Care System will be essential for those mothers who wish to combine their professional and family life. Despite being stagnant in the Senate for the last 4 years, Morena’s current candidate, Dr. Claudia Sheinbaum Pardo, has fervently promised that she will be one of her main actions upon assuming the presidency. This advance will be crucial for the Welfare State and the economic development of the country.
Furthermore, it is important to highlight that, although we have made considerable progress in the gender equality agenda in 2023 with the approval of paternity leaves of 5 to 20 days, the implementation of the National Registry of Alimony Debtors and the entry into force of Convention 190 of the ILO, among other advances, we still must strengthen the promotion of teleworking by companies and organizations. This modality, approved in 2021 in the Federal Labor Law, represents an opportunity for mothers to reconcile their personal and work lives, especially in the current technological era. In the words of Silva Zanella in her book “The Future of Work is Feminine”, teleworking, as a person-centered scheme, is more productive and takes us from a well-being to a “beautiful being.”
It is time for mothers to occupy a central place in our society, as a step towards a more just and equitable future. It is essential that they can play their role with dignity and freedom, without limitations imposed by gender stereotypes. Only in this way will we be able to celebrate Mother’s Day with greater fervor and honor those who came before us, offering them a country free of prejudice and with decent conditions for them and all women.
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Additionally, she studied English for two years at the University of Lake County in Illinois and has a Diploma in Human Rights from a Gender Perspective from the National Human Rights Commission.
Originally from Culiacán, Sinaloa, she lives in Mexico City, where she has worked in different federal agencies, recently as director of Budget Evaluation in the General Directorate of Programming and Budget, and Area Director in the General Directorate of Material Resources and General Services of the Ministry of the Interior. Currently, she is Secretary of Presentation Support in the Federal Judiciary Council of the Judicial Branch of the Federation.
She has specialized in issues of gender equality, labor matters and human rights through courses and research work. She has participated as a guest columnist in various media outlets, and has also been invited to participate as a commentator on the Mexican Government’s Radio Education.
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