Gender parity and Indigenous regulatory systems in Oaxaca, Mexico: a review of the state of the art

Abstract

This article aims to analyze the state of the art on gender parity and Indigenous Regulatory Systems (IRS) in the state of Oaxaca, Mexico, to identify relevant lines of research. The problem that motivated this approach lies in the inequalities, violence, and injustices suffered by Indigenous women as municipal councilors, even though the constitutional principle of gender parity protects their political and electoral rights. Despite legislative advances in parity, systemic obstacles prevent the substantive achievement of the principle of gender parity in the indigenous municipalities of Oaxaca. This is a qualitative study, through documentary and discourse analysis, identifying theoretical and empirical positions and research results. Around 50 sources were reviewed to identify coincidences and differences, organizing the information into three sections: the path toward parity democracy, the concept of parity, and interculturality. The studies reviewed show that the main problems in the implementation of the principle of parity are related to gender stereotypes, the low institutional capacity of the State to implement parity, patriarchal resistance, and political violence. Most studies focus on the political party regime and do not analyze indigenous contexts. Therefore, it is convenient to analyze parity in the regime of the indigenous normative systems in Oaxaca, Mexico.