This summer I visited my hometown (Hermosillo, Mexico) for a few weeks. I was pleasantly surprised to learn about some progressive advances that have not been implemented or fully implemented, even in California.  For instance, there is a new law that prohibits plastic straws in the state of Sonora. All establishments now provide alternative straw options such as straws made out of avocado pits, or bamboo.

But what most stood out is that there is a noticeable increase in female representation in politics. Sonora has a female governor (the first woman to govern the State), Claudia Pavlovich, and Hermosillo has a female mayor too, Célida López. They are from different parties, which makes their leadership even more diverse and I’m eager to see how they develop. As I started reconnecting with friends, I learned that these changes are not a coincidence, but are the product of numerous initiatives to incentivize gender parity that started more than five years ago. The INE (National Electoral Institute), a non-partisan entity that was formed to strengthen electoral democracy and guarantee the exercise of the political electoral rights of citizens, started implementing certain processes that deeply impacted the past elections. The INE requested that all parties should present fifty percent female candidates for all open positions, including positions for mayors and House of Representatives members.

As you might imagine, major political parties argued against these regulations. They claimed that there were no women ready for the positions, or that they couldn’t find women candidates qualified and with the experience needed. The parties asserted that they wanted the most suitable candidate without having to look at gender and that it wasn’t fair for men.

INE’s response was that women are currently at a disadvantage and that the fight against gender inequalities needed to begin somewhere. INE understood that women today may be less experienced but that (1) this situation isn’t their fault, that it is because there haven’t been fair opportunities for women to hold political positions and that the system needs to stand up and enable processes to create gender equality, and (2) the country needs to begin to develop a pipeline of qualified, experienced female candidates.   Their hope is that in a decade or two this rule will no longer be necessary, a history of strong performance by female politicians will mean that it will be easy to find female candidates as experienced as their male counterparts.

After a long and challenging electoral process, the parties presented almost fifty percent, female candidates and for the first time ever, the State holds 26 number of women Mayors (out of 72 or 37% –  last election only 9 women were elected), 4 (out of 6 or 66%) women Senators, 10 women (out of 21 or 47%) house of representatives. This is a great improvement and calls for a celebration.

However, this didn’t come easily. long-standing political forces continue to find ways to exploit loopholes in the regulations.

One infamous instance was “The case of the Juanitas.” In 2009, there were parties that registered female candidates as first in command, with a male candidate as an alternate, or second in command – which the regulations permitted. Once the elections passed, those women quit right away, thereby violating the spirit, but not the letter of the law. In other cases, political parties have nominated the wives of known male politicians to act as a figurehead, puppet politicians, a situation reminiscent of Frank & Claire Underwood’s routine in the Netflix drama House of Cards.

The INE has been working on implementing gender equality actions for at least 6 years, and during this time, they have learned what works, what are the challenges, and they continue to improve the process for future elections. Currently, there is an initiative that will be launched to better prepare women in politics and have a stronger pipeline.

Another example I learned Hermosillo is working for gender equity is in education in tech. Saturdays AI is a nonprofit in a mission to empower diverse individuals to learn Artificial Intelligence in a collaborative and project-based way, beyond the conventional education path. In Hermosillo, they are offering more scholarships to women and facilitating enrollment in their programs. I had the opportunity to meet the team and share my experience with them. When I asked the leader in Hermosillo, Samuel Noriega why is he doing this, he said, “I want to see a more diverse pipeline that includes women, I need that for my own business”. Additionally, I met a group of women that created wITches (Women in Tech), whose mission is to promote and increase the participation of women in IT in Mexico. They are determined to raise women’s voice and participation in the workplace, particularly in the tech industry.

As I reflect on these examples, I can’t help but think that solutions to diversity needs are exposed everywhere and Hermosillo is taking action now. We can and should start little by little, everywhere, remembering that any improvement is an advance to more equality that is much needed. As professor Shelley Correll states: How to accelerate gender equality? 1) Join forces, 2) Think Small as small wins, 3) Treat gender equality as a social good. I feel positive about the changes I am seeing in Hermosillo, even small improvements, are progressively taking them to more equity and a better society.

I want to hear from you. Drop me a message if you want to know more about how I could support you and your organization in your efforts to foster a high performing culture!