The Senate approves the reform of 17 laws to ensure gender equality and women’s rights

The Senate of the Republic approved in particular and the reserved articles in the text of the opinion: the reform of 17 federal laws on material equality, gender perspectives and women’s right to a life without violence. This amendment has the central objective of strengthening the protection of women’s rights, addressing the elimination of the gender pay gap and aligning the Mexican legal framework with international standards.

The decision counted with 72 yes votes and 29 no votes particularly during the vote, after the opinion had received a total majority of 107 votes. This legislative package repeals provisions in iconic laws such as:

• The General law on equality between women and men
• The General law on women’s access to a life free from violence
• He National Civil and Family Procedure Code
• The Federal labor law
• The Social Security Law
• The General education law
• The General law on the rights of girls, boys and young peopleamong other things.

The project is part of an initiative Claudia Sheinbaum PardoPresident of Mexico, and was previously approved by the Chamber of Deputies. According to the approved document, this reform aims to ensure the effective exercise of women’s rights and promote an update of the current legal framework. One of the main guidelines is to promote the integration of the gender perspective in all government policies and programs, with the aim of creating real conditions of equality and eliminating structural discrimination.

Another innovation of the reform is that Integration of the women’s secretariat as a competent authority in various legal systems, in accordance with the recent reorganization of federal public administration. This change aims to strengthen institutional capacity to ensure substantive equality and attention to violence against women across the country.

During the meeting, MPs from different parties expressed different points of view. The Chairman of the Senate Commission on Gender Equality, Martha Lucía Micher Camarenaemphasized that the reform represents a necessary step forward to harmonize Mexican legislation, update the titles of various laws and comply with both constitutional principles and international obligations. The President of the First Legislative Studies Commission, Manuel Huerta Ladron de Guevaraemphasized the importance of the state acting in such a way that the rights of women and girls are respected and guaranteed in all institutional areas.

Among those voting in favor and with reservations are members like Alejandra Barrales Magdalenafrom the civil movement, and Carolina Viggiano Austriafrom the PRI, recognized the importance of the ruling and pointed out that a sufficient budget and concrete measures are needed for the legal changes to have an impact on the real lives of Mexican women. On his part Virginia Magana Fonsecafrom PVEM and Maria de Jesus Diaz Marmolejofrom the PAN, agreed that the tools included in the reforms are essential to create conditions for justice and eliminate structures that perpetuate inequality.

Five reservations raised by members of the PRI, Morena and PAN were rejected in the debate, so the judgment was ratified in its original form.