Mexico

‘Feminist Activism Plays a Long Game’: Jennifer M. Piscopo on the Lessons the U.S. Can Learn from Mexico

The professor and researcher has watched gender quotas transform the political landscape in Mexico over the last two decades. Here’s what she thinks feminists in the U.S. can learn from their example.

“There has always been resistance to expanding women’s rights—in Mexico, in the U.S., everywhere—whether in politics or different spheres, but we are at this moment where that resistance seems to be having its own moment, and has been able to walk back a lot of gains.

“The past 50 years have shown that democracy is bound up with gender equality. … Feminist claims have always been about making democracy work for those usually excluded.”

Hear more from Piscopo and other feminists on the newest Ms. podcast, Looking Back, Moving Forward—the first episode is out now on Spotify, Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your podcasts.

Americans Want a Feminist Future—But in Order to Make it Happen, We Have to Rethink Our Entire Political System  

Donald Trump has insisted that he has a “mandate” from voters to peddle his wildly unpopular policies—and, apparently, to stop at nothing to enforce them. But in reality, Americans by and large want a feminist future.

I talked to experts in gender and politics about the promise of a truly representative democracy—and what it will take for feminists to build one. The first episode of the brand-new Ms. podcast Looking Back, Moving Forward digs into the history and future of the feminist fight for both political representation and political power. The experts I spoke to for the episode reminded me that feminists have the power to redefine our democracy—and that rumors of our defeat have been greatly exaggerated.

Listen to the newest Ms. podcast Looking Back, Moving Forward—available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your podcasts.

The Pentagon Is Ending its Women, Peace and Security Program. America’s Security Will be Impacted.

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Last week, Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth announced on social media that he proudly ended the Women, Peace and Security (WPS) program inside the Department of Defense (DOD). He tweeted: “WPS is yet another woke divisive/social justice/Biden initiative that overburdens our commanders and troops—distracting from our core task: WAR-FIGHTING.”

This attack on WPS efforts at the DOD undermines the safety and security of America and its troops, at home and abroad.

Fractured Families: A Second Trump Term Threatens Migrant Children

During President Donald Trump’s first term in office, a particular hell befell nearly 4,000 children who were separated from their families while trying to enter the U.S. at the southern border. At least 1,360 of these children still had not been reunited with their parents as of March 2024.

Now Trump is back in office, ordering increased deportations, and experts expect Trump to throw out any protective measures created by former President Joe Biden. Meanwhile, Republicans in Congress have introduced legislation aimed at expanding criminal penalties for undocumented immigrants that may make it easier for Trump to separate families.

(This article originally appears in the Spring 2025 issue of Ms. Join the Ms. community today and you’ll get issues delivered straight to your mailbox.)

Weekend Reading on Women’s Representation: 2024’s Top-Grossing Films Achieved Gender Equality; All-Male Leadership Photo Sparks Debate Over Gender Parity in Germany Post-Elections

Weekend Reading for Women’s Representation is a compilation of stories about women’s representation. 
This week: For the first time in recent history, the percentage of top-grossing films featuring female protagonists equaled that of films with male protagonists; the use of antiquated voting systems in Canada and the U.S. is a major barrier to women winning; gearing up for the fourth annual Democracy Solutions Summit, March 4-6; women running for governor and Senate in 2024; Germany elected a new coalition government, and women lost ground in Parliament; growing tensions between Democratic governors and President Donald Trump; 41 state constitutions nationwide use exclusively male pronouns to reference an individual seeking or holding elected office; and more.

The Most-Read Stories of 2024

Every day of 2024, Ms. writers and editors set out to create content that empowered, informed and infuriated readers. We sought out the truth, sounded alarms, asked tough questions, mourned feminist losses (and feminists we lost), looked to gender justice advocates abroad, and handed the microphone over to experts. Dear reader: As we enter a new year and a new era of the movement, we promise you more of this.

Explore the 30 most popular articles published this year on MsMagazine.com—the articles feminists most clicked, shared, studied, bookmarked and passed out at marches.

For Women to Have Real Political Power, We Need Quotas

Since 1789, only six women have occupied a seat on the Supreme Court of the United States, one of the most crucial institutions for justice in this country; and in the last 237 years, only 60 women have held a seat in the U.S. Senate. 

In order to achieve true parity, the United States needs to implement affirmative actions—gender quotas established by law. This will ensure that women are selected, appointed and supported by political platforms. Strategically speaking, these quotas would ensure that women rise to the same level of political opportunities as men.