Women’s Current Representation and Efforts for Increase
Currently, women make up only 19% of the total personnel in the Mexican Navy (Semar), highlighting that “we still symbolize the minority” in the armed forces, stated María de los Ángeles Salinas Pérez.
Increase in Women’s Inclusion Since 2020
During a working meeting with members of the Gender Equality Commission in the Senate, chaired by Martha Lucía Micher Camarena, Salinas Pérez, the director of Gender Equality and Inclusion in Semar, reported that women’s inclusion has increased by 6% since 2020. This trend has been maintained due to national impulses, international recommendations, and equal opportunities in hiring personnel.
Growth in Women’s Participation in the Armed Forces
In the first meeting titled “Public Policies for Gender Equality in Federal Administration,” where representatives from gender units of various agencies participated, the naval captain explained that the number of women in the armed forces has grown due to conventions and resolutions promoting gender equality, women’s participation, and relevant legislation.
Benefits of Women’s Participation
The impact and benefits of women’s involvement in various economic, political, social, and environmental sectors, she detailed, are crucial for achieving the desired sustainable human development. She recommended that the Anti-Corruption and Good Governance Secretariat implement monitoring actions for gender equality policies to ensure they go beyond documents or speeches. Salinas Pérez assured that women are “ready and capable” to perform roles and functions just like their male counterparts.
Actions to Promote Gender Perspective
Marisol Ruiz, head of the Special Unit for Gender and Violence against Women at the Federal Attorney General’s Office (FGR), discussed actions contributing to women’s lives free from violence and initiatives fostering gender perspective application in criminal investigations.
The FGR has its own reflection program for male public servants, she informed, and recently published the Inclusive Language Guide with a focus on justice personnel.
Key Questions and Answers
- What is the current representation of women in the Mexican Navy? Women make up 19% of the total personnel in the Semar.
- What factors have contributed to the increase in women’s inclusion since 2020? National impulses, international recommendations, and equal opportunities in hiring personnel have played a role.
- What sectors benefit from women’s participation? Various economic, political, social, and environmental sectors benefit from women’s involvement.
- What actions is the FGR taking to promote gender perspective? The FGR has a reflection program for male public servants and published an Inclusive Language Guide.
