THURSDAY, MARCH 18, 1999

Women play stronger political role in Mexico

By Vanessa E. Dominguez

On-Line Forty-Niner

The changing role of women in Mexico's political arena was the focus of a lecture Tuesday at Cal State Long Beach by a Brown University professor of anthropology, ethnic studies and Latin American studies.

Matthew Gutmann's lecture, "Las viejas chingonas: Engendered Popular Political culture in Mexico," which he roughly translated to mean "pushy women of Mexico City," centered around women involved in the political movement.

Women in Mexico were granted the right to vote in 1953, Gutmann said, but it does not mean they have less experience in politics than men do.

Gutmann shared his observations of the 1994 presidential elections in Santo Domingo. It was a time when candidates promised changes for citizens and public debate was on the rise. He said women began to play a stronger role in politics.

Gutmann said these women participated in a grass roots effort to teach younger females the basics of education such as advising them on what books to read, where to find information and how to become socially conscious.

Many of the women who become involved in the political movement are students, single mothers and older women. Female students generally lead these movements because older women in society encourage them to take a more active position.

Gutmann's research shows more than 63 percent of registered voters in Mexico are women. He said this reflects the fact that the political action women take in organized groups will determine the direction Mexico takes in the future.