Claudia Sheinbaum to be sworn in as Mexico's first female president in historic inauguration
NBCSEP 2024
Claudia Sheinbaum Sworn in as Mexico's First Female President
Above: Mexico's Pres. Claudia Sheinbaum speaks during her inauguration ceremony at the Saint Lazarus Legislative Palace in Mexico City, Mexico, on Tuesday, Oct. 1, 2024 Image copyright: Stephania Corpi/Bloomberg via Getty Images
The Spin
Narrative A
Despite accusations of having a male-dominated culture and negative biases against female leaders, Mexico has become the first North American country to elect a woman as head of state. This is a clear culmination of a gender parity framework that has been in place for decades in the Latin American country.
Narrative B
It's all too convenient to praise gender parity policies for this outcome when Sheinbaum is, in fact, just another female protégé appointed by a populist Latin American leader who can't run for re-election. Given that this story is reminiscent of Dilma Rousseff's rise in Brazil, one can only hope for better luck for Mexico.