Mexico’s Senate committees have approved a bill that aims to create fairer pay conditions for women in sports by prohibiting wage discrimination based on gender or other grounds. The bill, which was proposed by Senator Martha Lucía Micher, seeks to amend the General Law of Physical Culture and Sport to guarantee equal rights and opportunities for athletes who represent Mexico in national and international competitions.
A Historic Step for Women’s Rights
The bill was backed by the Senate committees on Sports, Gender Equality, and Legislative Studies on Wednesday, November 15, 2023. It received unanimous support from the senators who praised it as a historic step for women’s rights and social justice. Senator Micher, who is also the president of the Gender Equality committee, said that the bill was inspired by the struggles and achievements of Mexican women athletes who have faced discrimination and inequality in their careers.
She cited the examples of Paola Espinosa, a diver who won two Olympic medals and was denied a scholarship by the National Commission of Physical Culture and Sport (CONADE); Ana Gabriela Guevara, a former sprinter who became the head of CONADE and faced harassment and threats; and the women’s national soccer team, which was neglected and underfunded by the Mexican Football Federation.
Senator Micher said that the bill would ensure that women athletes receive the same pay, benefits, and recognition as their male counterparts, regardless of the sport they practice or the level of competition they participate in. She also said that the bill would protect athletes from other forms of discrimination based on disability, ethnicity, sexual orientation, gender identity, or expression.
A Global Trend for Equal Pay in Sports
The bill follows a global trend for equal pay in sports, especially after the landmark victory of the U.S. women’s national soccer team, which sued the U.S. Soccer Federation for gender discrimination and won a settlement that granted them equal pay and benefits as the men’s team.
Other countries, such as Australia, Norway, New Zealand, and England, have also taken steps to close the gender pay gap in sports, either through legislation or collective bargaining agreements.
According to a report by UNESCO, women and girls face multiple barriers to access and participate in sports, such as lack of funding, facilities, media coverage, role models, and leadership opportunities. The report also states that gender stereotypes and social norms often discourage women and girls from pursuing sports careers or enjoying the benefits of physical activity
The report recommends that governments, sports organizations, and civil society adopt policies and programs that promote gender equality and empowerment in sports, such as ensuring equal pay, providing scholarships and grants, increasing media visibility, and combating violence and harassment.
The Next Steps for the Bill
The bill will now be presented to the full Senate for discussion and approval. If passed, it will then be sent to the Chamber of Deputies, the lower house of Congress, for a final vote. If approved by both chambers, it will become a law and enter into force.
The bill has received support from various sectors of society, such as sports federations, athletes, activists, and academics. Some of the prominent figures who have expressed their endorsement of the bill are Lorena Ochoa, a former golfer who was ranked number one in the world; Guadalupe González, a race walker who won a silver medal at the 2016 Olympics; and Lydia Cacho, a journalist and human rights defender
The bill has also been praised by international organizations, such as the United Nations Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women (UN Women), which congratulated Mexico for its leadership and commitment to advancing women’s rights in sports.
