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.

The event will be in-person in the IOP Living Room on Thursday, May 15, 2025, at 12:30 - 1:30 PM CT. Génesis Dávila will be joining us in person, and Rosa María Payá will be joining over Zoom.

If you have any questions about accessibility, please contact iopevents@uchicago.edu.

Thursday, May 15, 2025

12:30 p.m. CST

Institute of Politics