Women in charges of popular representation, factor in the quality of democracy. The case of the states of Chihuahua and Guanajuato, Mexico

Dr. Sergio Pacheco González
Dr. Jesús Alberto Rodríguez Alonso

Although the normative framework governing Mexican political and democratic life establishes equality between men and women as a principle, it is evident, as shown by the late incorporation of women into the exercise of the right to vote and to be voted (1953). That the full access of these to decision-making spaces through popular representation has necessitated various struggles that have been shaped by successive reforms to electoral norms until the establishment of the principle of parity (2014).
At present, women can access representation positions in congresses and municipalities and even constitute a majority, as happens in the Congress of Chihuahua and the City of Juarez, which undoubtedly constitutes an advance. However, beyond these data, it is necessary to ask, has the increased participation of women in positions of popular representation impacted on the quality of democracy? Therefore, it is necessary to carry out a longitudinal analysis regarding the evolution of the increase of women in the positions of popular representation in the states, for our case, Chihuahua and Guanajuato. As well as to explain how this participation shows evidence of progress in the incorporation of the gender perspective in the legislative and / or municipal representation work, in the congresses of the states and in two of the main municipalities of each entity, in this case Chihuahua, Juarez, Leon and Guanajuato.
The presence of women in these positions is an expression of the democratic transition experienced by these entities, which is why the methodology developed is comparative for these two states, which have had political alternation both at the state government level and in some of its city councils.