In the midst of a contentious U.S. election highlighted by derogatory remarks about “childless cat ladies,” some may ponder the benefits of regulations against ridiculing candidates based on their gender. A similar law exists in Mexico, a country that recently elected its first female president. The issue came to the forefront in a closely contested race between two female candidates for a Mexico City borough presidency. An electoral court intervened, overturning the victory of one candidate, citing “gender-based political violence” against the opposing candidate from the ruling party.
President Andrés Manuel López Obrador expressed concerns about the ruling, emphasizing the potential establishment of a hazardous precedent, despite the fact that the unsuccessful candidate was from his own Morena party. The dispute stemmed from Alessandra Rojo’s narrow win over Morena’s Caty Monreal, where Rojo implied that Monreal’s candidacy may be attributed to her father’s political stature within Morena.
Last week, the court determined that Rojo’s remarks breached Mexican electoral law, which prohibits demeaning or disqualifying a female candidate based on gender stereotypes such as the notion that women succeed in politics solely due to familial ties to influential men. The incident drew parallels to U.S. politics, specifically remarks made by Ohio Senator JD Vance about “childless cat ladies,” raising questions about potential implications for Vice President Kamala Harris.
Critics argued that Monreal’s lack of political experience and her family’s entrenched involvement in politics could be legitimate points of contention. The debate also highlighted complexities surrounding freedom of speech and the notion of one woman being accused of perpetrating gender violence against another. Rojo vowed to challenge the ruling, emphasizing the need to safeguard women’s rights in politics.
Experts, such as Julia Zulver, specializing in gender violence, expressed concerns about the politicization of a crucial law designed to combat exclusion and repression of women in Mexico. While the law played a significant role in recent elections, including accusations of gender-based political violence against López Obrador, its efficacy was limited by provisions preventing sanctions against the president. Ultimately, former Mexico City Mayor Claudia Sheinbaum, from López Obrador’s Morena party, emerged victorious in the elections and is poised to assume office.