Background for the Empowerment of Women Entrepreneurs in Mexico

Abstract

In the twentieth century, Mexican women faced enormous restrictions on publicly expressing their views and participating in both the political and economic spheres. Despite legislative advances and the increasing employment of women, profound gender inequalities continue to prevail in areas such as education, employment, as well as civil, economic and political rights.

It has been seen that the world is facing a multi-dimensional development process that seeks to result in the empowerment of women. An international development agenda has been constructed and promoted which has materialized in the form of legislation and programs in countries that have acceded to international cooperation in the context of the United Nations (UN).

Mexico is not alien to the process of advancement for the empowerment of women, so this article reviews the progress of national documents known as gender policies or women's policies, to examine the actions of the Mexican state in the downfall that has followed to lay the foundations of a more equitable society. This work demonstrates that the advancement of women's rights in Mexico matches the progress of the international agenda, but that specific policies for the empowerment and economic autonomy of women entrepreneurs remain to be defined and concretized.

Finally, this work is carried out as part of a broader, ongoing investigation into the empowerment of women entrepreneurs in a subnational case study, for the city of Chetumal, Quintana Roo, Mexico.