Neo-Liberalism and the Altering of Women’s Roles

By: Kyle Soderberg

Irene Ortiz discusses neo-liberalism and Mexican women

The IB (International Business) program in Cuernavaca has been focusing on globalization recently. We have been discussing the pros and cons that have been gained through globalization. Although we take examples from all over the world, we try to focus on Latin America. Also, the IB program has not dissected the social responsibility that does or should accompany the implementation of globalization; however, the Crossing Borders program here in Cuernavaca tends to focus more on social issues. Naturally, they have been discussing the social impact of globalization and neo-liberalism here in Mexico and Latin America.

Last Friday, Fred Rosen—an independent journalist and economist—came and gave a speech to both programs on “What is Neo-Liberalism”. Neo-liberalism is very tied to globalization in many Latin American countries but it is more of a social moral philosophy. This week both groups were visited by Irene Ortiz. Irene has been a feminist organizer in Mexico for over 20 years. She discussed how neo-liberalism has been affecting and altering the traditional roles of women in Mexico. Also, she described the challenges women are facing because of these alterations as well as describing the benefits. Women in Mexico and Latin America are now objects of the market. They are workers and they are consumers. She also stated that there has been an increase in the informal sector of the market such as street vendors, and women have to be more creative, such as having their children sell things at night on the street.

Beneficial for both student programs, her examples included economic and social matters. Although it is not the focus of the IB program, it is routinely important to contemplate socials issues so that we may be able to keep the economic issues in perspective.