Salary gaps, bias and housework: Mexico’s diversity challenges
We are living, worldwide, in a time in which principles of equality are changing. In our region, human rights are also closely reviewed by authorities since both trends will determine our future in many ways.
According to the UN Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (CEPAL), 29% of Mexican women do not have an income they earn themselves.
Mexico is still a country where an unconscious bias against women prevails, not only regarding education and work but many other cultural issues.
Opportunities to integrate women into the economy are offered by science, technology, engineering, and maths (STEM) careers, which have historically been men’s turf. Young women need to be encouraged to take interest in these subjects, which could guarantee them a place in the labour market.
The challenges, as well as the opportunities, in Mexico are to achieve equality and eradicate violence. At the same time, we should work on diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI). Gender violence is still an issue of concern; however it is not the topic of this article.
Barriers to overcome
Worldwide there are still obstacles towards achieving equality.
We are still dealing with salary gaps, unconscious bias, the disproportionate burden of non-remunerated domestic work (which in our region weighs on women and girls), workplace violence, child marriage, sexual harassment, and stereotypes as well as legislation, practices, habits and customs that are discriminatory and prevent women from living their lives to the full and achieving equal rights.
Many gaps and inequalities are still present in women’s and girls’ lives: education, work, health, violence, etc. We have to close these gaps as much as possible.
