Institute of Politics

The 2024 election of Claudia Sheinbaum as Mexico’s first female president marks a historic milestone in a broader political shift unfolding across Latin America. Over the past two decades, women across the region have broken barriers, ascending to the highest levels of government. These achievements reflect the efforts of generations of women who have long fought for political inclusion, and whose work is now gaining more mainstream acceptance and influence.

The International Policy Program and the Organization of Latin American Students invite you to a timely and thought-provoking panel that explores the opportunities and challenges facing women in Latin America's political landscape. Together, these distinguished speakers will offer nuanced perspectives on the evolving role of women in shaping the future of politics across Latin America.

We are honored to welcome Génesis Dávila, a renowned human rights lawyer and founder of Defiende Venezuela. Her extensive experience includes work with the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights, the United Nations Team of Experts on Sexual Violence in Conflict, and the Organization of American States on crimes against humanity in Venezuela. Also joining us is Rosa María Payá, a leading Cuban democracy activist and human rights advocate. She is the founder of Cuba Decide, a non-profit organization fighting for democratic change in the nation. Payá is also the Executive Director for the Foundation of Pan-American Democracy, recipient of the Sakharov Prize, and was twice nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize. Our final guest is Her Excellency Alejandra Solano. She is the Ambassador and Permanent Representative of Costa Rica to the Organization of American States. As a seasoned diplomat and lawyer, Ambassador Solano brings over two decades of experience in international relations and diplomacy through Costa Rica's Foreign Service. In her current role at the OAS, Ambassador Solano is a strong advocate for multilateralism, regional cooperation, and both gender and climate justice in Latin America.