Mexico City, August 15 – The ‘Women’s Parliament 2026’ concluded this Saturday at the Mexico City Congress after eight days of intensive activities. The event saw participants present a total of 66 initiatives and Points of Agreement. During its third and final Plenary Session, six of these proposals were dictated, focusing on substantive equality, gender-sensitive medical care, and the creation of specialized units for victims of violence.
Key Proposals Dictated by the Women’s Parliament
The dictated proposals also included comprehensive protection for the rights of indigenous women, prevention and assistance for violence at Modal Transfer Centers (CETRAMs), and the establishment of an Amnesty Law for Mexico City. The closing ceremony, held at the Legislative Precinct of Donceles, was led by Deputy Cecilia Vadillo Obregón, President of the Gender Equality Commission, alongside representatives from various civil organizations advocating for women’s rights.
Deputy Vadillo Highlights Diverse Participation
During her address, Deputy Cecilia Vadillo noted the diverse participation in this legislative exercise, with women of all ages-primarily between 40 and 50 years old-attending from all 16 capital boroughs. “It was a very enriching Parliament where women from all over Mexico City came. That is something that excites me very much because I could see the richness of their struggles, of their territories. You can feel how they are women of cause, and that truly fills me with pride,” she stated.
Deputy Vadillo affirmed the Gender Equality Commission’s commitment to selecting the initiatives presented by themes and organizing working groups to explore their potential presentation before the Mexico City Congress.
Calls for Collective Action and Continued Engagement
Activist Tania Sánchez Gordillo from EQUIS Justicia para las Mujeres urged women to participate collectively in public life, emphasizing that this is crucial for advancing their rights and reducing inequalities. “Naming ourselves in plural is a political gamble. And it is a gamble that we must keep current and firm, especially in the face of this anti-rights onslaught that we see gaining more and more strength,” she stressed.
Sharon Esmeralda Fernández Mercado, representing the organization Aúna, underscored the importance of women engaging in spaces where they can share experiences and transform them into proposals for change. “May this closing of the Parliament be not a final point, but a starting point. Because when women meet, we build together and decide to participate, we are also reconfiguring the way power is distributed and exercised,” she pointed out.
Jimena Canseco, an activist with the Carmen Sánchez MX Foundation, discussed their work supporting victims of acid or chemical violence and their families. She explained that their efforts extend beyond legislative reforms to transforming the conditions of violence women face through collective solutions. “Something that fills my heart is not only being able to seek legislative reforms that prevent and address these crimes but also sitting down for coffee with them, talking about ourselves, about our lives, about what we want, and building it together,” she emphasized.
Patricia Martínez, a Metro vendor and representative of the collective Leonas en Manada, highlighted her group’s primary work: supporting women and single mothers facing poverty by providing security and encouragement for them to study and succeed. “We have learned that collectivity unites us, especially as women. If we don’t embrace and encourage each other, we cannot face our situation against men,” she underlined.
Parliamentary Activities and Future Outlook
The Parliament’s activities took place from August 7 to August 15, excluding Sunday, August 9. These activities included participants attending the “Women in Politics Forum,” an induction course on the parliamentary process, commission meetings, working groups with expert organizations, and three plenary sessions.
The “Women’s Parliament 2026” was inaugurated on August 10 at the Legislative Precinct of Donceles by the Board of Deans, composed of deputies from the Gender Equality Commission, who swore in the parliamentarians.
This initiative underscores the ongoing efforts to empower women and integrate their perspectives into legislative processes in Mexico City, aiming for a more equitable and just society.
