Laura Itzel Castillo named Mexico's new Secretary for Women under Sheinbaum

Laura Itzel Castillo has been named Mexico’s new Secretary for Women. President Claudia Sheinbaum appointed her to the role, which she will take up on 1 September. A long-time feminist, Castillo has championed women’s rights since the 1970s. Castillo played a key role in introducing the first gender quotas in Mexican politics. In the Party of the Democratic Revolution, she helped secure rules requiring 20% of candidacies to go to women. She now highlights Mexico’s advances in gender equity, with women outnumbering men in Congress and 14 female governors currently in office.

She also stressed the need for further change. A patriarchal system still limits women’s progress, she said, and full equality remains unfinished. Her priorities include pushing for femicide to be classified as a national crime and setting up specialised prosecutors’ offices in each state to handle such cases.

Castillo remains committed to broader principles like freedom, equality and multilateralism. She has not yet decided whether to bring a female senator into her team at the Secretariat for Women. On leadership, she believes gender should never disqualify anyone from serving as Senate president. As Secretary for Women, Castillo will focus on strengthening legal protections and political representation. Her appointment reflects Mexico’s ongoing efforts to address gender inequality. She will begin her term on 1 September with a clear agenda for reform.