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Key Impact Points:
- Female Presidents in the Americas: With Claudia Sheinbaum’s election, there have been 13 female presidents in North and South America, including interim leaders.
- Female Presidents in World History: Approximately 75 women have served as presidents or prime ministers globally.
- Current Female Leaders: As of 2024, there are 22 female heads of state or government worldwide.
- Additional information:
- The first female president in world history was Khertek Anchimaa-Toka of the Tuvan People’s Republic, serving from 1940 to 1944.
- Countries with multiple female presidents include Argentina, Chile, and Brazil.
- Mexico’s historic election marks the first time both leading candidates were women.
In a historic election, Mexico has elected Claudia Sheinbaum as its first female president. Winning between 58.3% and 60.7% of the vote, Sheinbaum’s victory signifies a pivotal moment for gender equality in the nation and the Americas.
“I will become the first woman president of Mexico,” Sheinbaum declared, celebrating the collective journey with Mexican women across generations.
Sheinbaum, a climate scientist and former mayor of Mexico City, promises to continue the progressive policies of her predecessor, Andrés Manuel López Obrador, with a data-driven approach. Her triumph follows a fierce contest against tech entrepreneur and former senator Xóchitl Gálvez, marking the first time Mexico’s two main candidates were women.
“I didn’t make it alone,” Sheinbaum said shortly after her victory was confirmed. “We’ve all made it, with our heroines who gave us our homeland, with our mothers, our daughters and our granddaughters.”
Impact and Significance:
- Historic Milestone: Sheinbaum’s election brings the total number of female presidents in the Americas to 13.
- Global Context: She joins the ranks of 22 current female leaders worldwide, part of approximately 75 women who have held such positions in history.
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Sheinbaum’s administration faces significant challenges, including addressing persistent cartel violence and economic concerns. Nonetheless, her election is a powerful statement on the progress of gender equality in political leadership.