The state of Chihuahua ranks 10th out of the 32 federal entities in the national “Women in the Economy” ranking, standing out for having the lowest proportion of women working in the informal sector nationwide. Furthermore, the state ranks third in the pillar of women’s economic autonomy, reflecting significant progress in women’s labor force participation and stability.
However, one of the main challenges the state still faces is teenage pregnancy, a phenomenon that continues to hinder the educational and professional development of many young women, limiting their opportunities to fully integrate into the labor market.
Data from the monitor, presented by the Mexican Institute for Competitiveness (IMCO), reveals that the state ranks third in the pillar of women’s economic autonomy: the lowest percentage of women living in working poverty (23.7%), a low rate of women dependent on income (19.3%), and one of the highest proportions of women with legal ownership or co-ownership of their homes (19.5%).
And of course, it stands out for having the lowest proportion of women working in the informal sector (31.3%).
Although teenage pregnancy is a challenge, given that 17.7% of pregnancies in the state are among women under 20 years old.
In this regard, Claudia Portillo, president of the Downtown Merchants Association (Cocentro) and a businesswoman who sells beauty products, pointed out that remaining in the formal sector allows for more equitable competition among businesses.
The business leader explained that when businesses operate within the legal framework, compliance with tax and labor obligations is guaranteed, which contributes to a more orderly and fair commercial environment for all market participants.
However, Portillo also expressed concern about some recent labor reforms. She believes that measures such as the reduction of the workday, the increase in vacation periods, the implementation of the so-called “Chair Law,” as well as the sustained increase in the minimum wage, could have counterproductive effects if they are not implemented with a comprehensive analysis.
According to his perspective, these provisions could incentivize some businesses to move into the informal sector to avoid higher operating costs, a situation he warned is not beneficial for either businesses or governments, as it reduces tax revenue and limits workers’ access to benefits and social security.
Given this scenario, he emphasized the importance of finding a balance between improving working conditions and ensuring the economic viability of businesses, especially small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) that make up a large part of the local economy.
Source: oem
