Current Event #2

http://www.economist.com/node/21547282

With further developement in the realm of Mexican politics, women have come to represent a force to be reckoned with, both as voters and as candidates.  Until this year, no woman had ever been a candidate in Mexican presidential politics.  Josefina Vasquez Mota, a woman who has held high-standing governmental positions, has thrown tradition regarding the female sex in politics right out the door as she runs against her fellow male candidates for the position of President.  Her dream is to be the country's first female president.  The question, though, is whether or not she'll be able to count on her fellow women for the vote.  However, her sex may not be the issue with the voters.  Her party, the current ruling party, the National Action Party (PAN), has fallen out of favor of voters across the country due to their dislike of the current President, Felipe Calderon, and the violence that has ensued under his regime.  This could mean an initial disregard for Vasquez simply due to the party she belongs to.  Women voters are really going to be a huge deciding factor in this race.  They've really been listening to the politics.  Unlike in other countries, one fourth of Mexico's government seats are held by women, a number greater than that of the U.S. and many other countries, and more developed ones at that.  The rival party's (Institutional Revolution Party (PRI)) candidate, Enrique Pena Nieto, has been trying to rope in the female voters with his good looks, however, his un-female-friendly actions of late that have been reported by ex-girlfriends and simply by stupid comments he makes have made him lose a lot of support in that department.  There is always a chance that the women voters will now turn to Vasquez, however, with Vasquez's anti-abortion position, the increasingly independent women of Mexico may be drawn away from her.  Women are really important factors in politics these days in Mexico.  It will be very interesting to see how they further change the dynamic of Mexican politics.  It's inspiring to see how much ground women have gained in politics in less developed countries like Mexico.  Hopefully, more women will be encouraged to run for positions in other countries around the world as well.