64 years ago, on July 3, 1955, Mexican women exercised their right to vote in federal elections for the first time, electing federal deputies for the XLIII Legislature. This landmark event, while celebrating its anniversary, provides a crucial historical backdrop to understanding the dynamics of contemporary Mexican politics, especially as we approach the Elecciones Federales De México De 2024 Encuestas are beginning to take shape.
64° aniversario del voto de la mujer en una elección federal en México
The journey to women’s suffrage in Mexico officially began on February 12, 1947, when an addition to Article 115 of the Official Gazette of the Federation granted women the right to participate in municipal elections as both voters and candidates. This decree established that “In municipal elections, women will participate on equal terms with men, with the right to vote and be voted for.”
However, it was the federal elections of July 3, 1955, that marked the true watershed moment. This followed a campaign promise made two years prior by then-presidential candidate Adolfo Ruiz Cortines. On October 17, 1953, after navigating the legislative process, President Ruiz Cortines enacted constitutional reforms granting full citizenship to Mexican women, culminating in their first opportunity to vote on a national level.
In the elecciones federales de méxico de 1955, women turned out to vote for federal deputies. Despite the historical significance of this event, the full democratization of citizenship was a process that unfolded over many years. Deep-rooted traditions meant that true equality in political participation required further time and societal evolution.
It took another 24 years after the enfranchisement of women for Mexico to witness its first female state governor, Griselda Álvarez of Colima, in 1979. This highlights that while suffrage was a monumental step, sustained effort was needed to break down barriers and achieve genuine representation.
Women’s suffrage represented the formal recognition of equality in political participation. Since then, Mexican women have continued to fight for their rights and greater involvement in national decision-making. As Mexico looks towards the elecciones federales de méxico de 2024, understanding the historical context of women’s political engagement is vital. Analyzing encuestas (polls) related to these upcoming elections must consider the significant role women voters play and the issues that mobilize them. The legacy of 1955 reminds us that the ongoing pursuit of a just and equitable Mexico requires continuous efforts to foster women’s participation in all spheres of decision-making, ensuring their voices are fully represented in shaping the nation’s future.
