Cancún Mayor to Skip International Women’s Day March to Avoid Politicization

Cancún, Quintana Roo — Cancún Mayor Ana Paty Peralta announced on Friday that she will not attend the International Women’s Day march on March 8, saying she wants to prevent the demonstration from being interpreted as a political act.

The municipal government will provide institutional support for the march, including road closures, audio equipment, and other logistical assistance requested by organizers, Peralta said. She explained that her decision to stay away stems from a desire to respect the nature of the commemoration.

“The objective is to avoid a mobilization that represents the historic struggle of women from being used for political purposes,” Peralta stated.

The mayor emphasized that March 8 is a date to highlight women’s fight to live free from violence, exercise their rights, and expand their participation in society. She said her administration maintains communication with organizing groups and reiterated institutional backing to ensure the march proceeds under appropriate conditions.

Regarding security measures, Peralta said closures would only occur at some facilities like City Hall, a practice applied during various public events that does not imply shielding the building.

Peralta also addressed women in the municipality, stressing the importance of unity and solidarity among them. “When women organize and work together, they achieve greater strength to drive changes in society,” she said.

She noted that the country is currently experiencing a significant moment for female political participation, with a woman serving as president of Mexico, a female governor in Quintana Roo, and herself leading Cancún’s municipal government. Historically, few women have headed the Benito Juárez City Council, she added, saying female presence in public office opens new opportunities for participation.

The mayor reiterated that women are a priority in her administration, mentioning programs focused on economic and social empowerment, such as workshops at the Casa de la Mujer Emprendedora (House of the Entrepreneurial Woman). Activities there include the “Tejedoras de Sueños” (Weavers of Dreams) workshop aimed at strengthening participants’ productive capacities.

Peralta emphasized the importance of supporting women facing violence, many of whom do not report it due to difficulty escaping cycles of abuse. She urged people not to judge victims and encouraged women to approach municipal institutions for help. The City Council, through the Municipal Women’s Institute, offers accompaniment, advice, and programs seeking to generate economic independence for victims, she explained.

Separately, Peralta discussed a mobility project being developed in coordination with the state government. The initiative includes short-, medium-, and long-term actions, ongoing works, reforms, and the progressive expansion of public transport routes. The goal is to improve city mobility and streamline the transportation system, with more visible results potentially emerging by year’s end.