Mexican Senate hosts artisanal fair to promote women's economic autonomy

The Senate of the Republic held the ‘Feria Artesanal de Derechos, Autonomía, Empoderamiento y Libertad’ (Artisanal Fair of Rights, Autonomy, Empowerment, and Freedom) to promote the economic autonomy of women. The event provided a platform for 30 female artisans from various Mexican states, including Querétaro, Oaxaca, Hidalgo, Morelos, and the State of Mexico, to exhibit and sell products such as textiles, embroidery, jewelry, honey, and quartz.

Martha Lucía Micher Camarena, president of the Commission for Gender Equality, noted that closing the wage gap remains a critical challenge, as unpaid informal work persists among this demographic. Flor Dessiré León Hernández, head of the Senate's Technical Unit for Gender Equality, highlighted that while women produce more than 90 percent of handicrafts, their work is often not recognized as formal employment. The initiative is part of the Technical Unit's annual work plan to address inequality and support women in sustaining their personal and family economies.