Mexico has pledged stronger cooperation with Nigeria to advance gender equality and inclusion, stressing that no nation can afford to leave half its population behind.
Delivering a goodwill message at the Gender and Inclusion Summit 2025, (GS-25) with the theme “New Voices and New Approaches for Accelerating an Inclusive Society”, Mexico’s Ambassador to Nigeria, Ambassador Alfredo Miranda, reaffirmed Mexico’s commitment to stand with Nigeria in advancing gender and inclusion.
“Mexico stands ready to walk this path alongside Nigeria —through cooperation, shared experiences, and mutual respect. We are not here to export our model. We are here to learn together, to build together, and to affirm that every girl in Borno, in Kano, in Lagos, deserves the same dignity and opportunity as a boy in Abuja, Monterrey, or Oaxaca.”
According to Miranda, gender equality is neither a Western notion nor a foreign imposition, but a universal human aspiration.
“Gender equality is not a Western idea. It is not a foreign imposition. It is a universal human aspiration rooted in dignity, fairness, and opportunity,” the envoy declared.
She added that Mexico and Nigeria have rich histories of women contributing significantly to families, markets, classrooms, and communities, but often without equal recognition or decision-making power.
“In both Nigeria and Mexico, women have always played essential roles in families, in markets, in classrooms, and in communities. But for too long, they were denied full recognition, voice, and decision-making power in our institutions.”
Highlighting Mexico’s progress, the Ambassador pointed to groundbreaking reforms that placed women at the centre of national development.
“In recent years, Mexico has achieved: constitutional parity in all elected positions from local councils to Congress; a female President-elect for the first time in our history; and the institutionalisation of gender policies across all branches of government.
“This progress was not automatic. It required law, political will, civil society, and above all, persistence. It also required men in power to recognise that their leadership must be shared.”
Ambassador Miranda appealed that inclusion must go beyond gender, extending to youth, indigenous peoples, persons with disabilities, and other historically marginalised groups.
“True inclusion means ensuring that youth, indigenous peoples, persons with disabilities, and other historically marginalised groups all have a seat at the table. A society is only as strong as its ability to embrace the diversity of its people.”
The envoy also underscored the economic dividends of gender equality, stressing that empowering excluded groups is a smart economic strategy.
“Studies show that closing gender gaps in labour markets could increase global GDP by trillions of dollars. Empowering women and excluded groups is not only a moral imperative — it is a smart economic strategy for growth, innovation, and stability.”
On Nigeria’s prospects, he praised women entrepreneurs, artists, ministers, and activists who are already shaping the country’s future.
“Here in Nigeria, I have met women entrepreneurs, artists, ministers, and activists who are changing the face of this country. I have seen community leaders and religious figures speak up for the rights of women and girls. These voices must grow louder.”
While acknowledging the complexity of Nigeria’s plural legal systems and traditions, the Ambassador stressed the urgency of reforms.
“Yes, the road is complex. Nigeria’s plural legal systems, rich traditions, and regional realities demand tailored approaches. But the principle is clear: no country can afford to leave half its population behind.”
The Ambassador called on all countries to dismantle barriers and secure women’s rights as an urgent necessity for peace, stability, and prosperity.
“Our generation has a responsibility. Not just to acknowledge inequality, but to dismantle it. Not just to speak of women’s rights, but to guarantee them. Let us work for a future where being born a girl is not a disadvantage, but a beginning full of promise.”