Inequalities between genders in Mexico are dramatic and can be seen in various fields such as politics, economics, and education. Such differences are evident concerning sexuality, that is, women’s sexually must be more controlled than men. This could result in different problems such as health issues and unwanted pregnancies since there is a widespread acceptance of myths regarding women’s reproductive health and rights. Gender inequalities in this country are still considered as normal, which represents a huge psychosocial barrier that limits the options people have as well as restricting their access to presented opportunities. Such restrictions prevent women from reaching their full potential economically and socially (Hietanen and Pick). Ensuring gender equality in Mexican Education do not only involve government participation towards providing women access to education beyond secondary level and women empowerment policies, but also complete involvement from the society such as changing their expectations towards women and young girls.
Gender inequality has been plaguing Mexican education for many years despite the reforms implemented. Sylvia Schmelkes, who is the director of National Institute of Educational Evaluation in Mexico, claimed that while the country has experienced dramatic growth in the national education system, the government has overlooked the indigenous communities and poorest areas. Improving education could reduce inequality and improve social mobility, but it could also perpetuate social inequality if minorities or certain groups were not provided the access. New educational reforms were being proposed, but it was met by protests and oppositions from the teachers and other concerned citizens. Furthermore, it is not clear whether such reforms can improve gender equality in education (Nikolau).
Rural and indigenous areas are the places where teen pregnancy is prevalent. One out of four teenage girls enters the union before reaching the age of 18 in Mexico. Rates are 30 percent higher in some states like Guerrero and Chiapas, and the percentage is even higher in rural areas. The primary reason prevalence of teen pregnancy was because hundreds of thousands of young girls were forced into relationships and marriages with older men, preventing them from experiencing childhood and attaining needed education. Latin America is the only region in the world where child marriage is increasing instead of declining. Consequently, 83 percent of these girls left school due to entering into relationships while only 15 percent of girls dropped out who are not into any relationships (Summers).
A law was set to reinforce minimum age of marriage, but many states do not comply. Furthermore, laws are not an effective solution to minimize cases of early unions, especially in non-formal contexts. The main reason why young girls engage in such relationships was that they believe that such union would improve their social status or as a means of escaping poverty. Unfortunately, the young girls who entered into union have higher chances of acquiring sexually transmitted diseases and other health complications. They are also highly likely to suffer from violence. Another reason is culture. Such act was part of a tradition such as Zapotec tradition where young girls are allowed to be stolen from their families (Summers). Many mothers are also teaching their daughters that their main responsibility is to stay at home, do the housework and take care of their children (Empowering the Future Generation of Mexican Female Leaders).
Early unions are extraordinarily prevalent and normalized in many parts of the country, and the government failed to tackle the issue. Actions must be implemented to alter the society’s perception and expectations towards women. The government must ensure that all women have access to education beyond secondary level and their families should also be eager to continue their schooling (Summers).
Fortunately, in recent years the country imposed valuable policies towards women empowerment. However, Mexico still has a long way to go in ensuring gender equality. Even young Mexican women’s educational attainment is now almost equivalents to men’s; they still have one of the biggest gender employment gaps in the OECD. Many employed women hold informal jobs that offer low pay. Discrimination against women and stereotyping continue to restrict women’s options. They are also expected to perform childcare and unpaid housework. If the country wants to encourage more women to take education seriously, then options should be made available, and discrimination as well as stereotyping should be discouraged. However, the government cannot do this solely since stereotyping is something that the society has to change (How does Mexico Compare?).
Furthermore, increasing number of women is now entering Congress. These lawmakers could develop policies and programs to encourage gender equality. The country also implements good progress in educational programs such as keeping more girls in secondary schools and universities. Working mothers were also given more childcare options to improve female labor force participation. Some members of the private sector are also doing their part to help women ensure gender equality in education (How does Mexico Compare?).
One good example is the U.S. Mexico Foundation that has the main goal of empowering female Mexican high school students from less fortunate communities through their bi-national STEM mentoring program for female Mexican high school students. Providing STEM is necessary considering the fast advancing and increasingly interconnected world. The foundation chose to focus on female students to reduce the gender gap in education (Empowering the Future Generation of Mexican Female Leaders).
Conclusion
It is fortunate that significant steps were implemented towards achieving gender equality in education not only by the government but also private sector as well. The country also performs good progress in educational programs such as keeping more girls in secondary schools and universities. Working mothers were also given more childcare options to improve female labor force participation. The members of the private sector such as US-Mexico Foundation are doing their part. However, Mexico still has a long way to go in ensuring gender equality. Even young Mexican women’s educational attainment is now almost equivalents to men’s; they still have one of the biggest gender employment gaps in the OECD. Many employed women hold informal jobs that offer low pay. Discrimination against women and stereotyping continue to restrict women’s options. Ensuring gender equality in Mexican Education do not only involve government participation towards providing women access to education beyond secondary level and women empowerment policies, but also complete involvement from the society such as changing their expectations towards women and young girls. Some traditions allow men to steal young girls from their families and impregnate them while mothers still teach their daughters that their primary responsibility is to stay at home do the housework and take care of their children. Actions must be implemented to alter the society’s perception and expectations towards women to ensure women empowerment and gender equality together with implementation women empowerment educational programs such as STEM mentoring.