Claudia Sheinbaum has been sworn in as Mexico’s first female president. On Tuesday, the 62-year-old former mayor of Mexico City vowed to improve women’s rights and bolster the country’s economy amidst lagging growth.
“It is time for transformation, it is time for women,” she said, wearing the presidential sash. “I am a mother, a grandmother, a scientist and a woman of faith, and from today, by the will of the Mexican people, the president.”
Taking the oath of office in Mexico’s Congress, Sheinbaum promised “continuity with change,” as she kicked off the start of her six-year term. She hopes that her historical win as a woman will inspire “those who dreamed of the possibility that one day no matter if we were born as women or men we would achieve our dreams and desires without our sex determining our destiny.”
Sheinbaum has inherited a country that is struggling with its largest budget deficit since the 1980s. It is also battling cartel-dominated violence, rising debt, incomplete building programs and rehabilitating the hurricane-dilapidated, flood-stricken Pacific coast resort city of Acapulco, which saw a further 17 killed last week.
In her first speech as president, Sheinbaum addressed investor concerns, assuring them that the central bank would remain autonomous: “Rest assured that the investments of national and foreign shareholders will be safe in our country.”
“I will govern for everyone and be assured that I will put my knowledge, strength, my history, and my life itself at the service of the people and the country,” Sheinbaum said.
She also touted the benefits of the free trade agreement Mexico has with the US and Canada, saying “we know that economic cooperation strengthens the three nations.”
The former climate scientist also promised to cap oil production at 1.8 million barrels per day — more than what the state-owned company Pemex currently produces.
“We are going to promote energy efficiency and the transition toward renewable sources of energy,” she said.
According to the latest IPU rankings, women currently hold 50 per cent representation in Mexico’s parliament, putting them equal fourth in the world alongside Andorra, Namibia and UAE. Australia sits at 37th, with 38 per cent female representation.
Historically, a total of 174 women have been heads of state or government across 87 countries, while 113 countries have never had a woman at the helm. Currently, 27 countries are led by a woman, including Denmark, Iceland, Greece and Bangladesh.