Costa Rica elects its first female president

Laura Chinchilla won Costa Rica’s presidential election Sunday, Feb 7. This marks a trend in Latin American politics that involves the increased election of female officials. Other female presidents recently elected in the region include President Michelle Bachelet of Chile who was elected in 2006 and President Cristina Elizabet Fernández de Kirchner of Argentina who was elected the following year. This trend can also be found in overall female representation in the government. The election of women to office may seem contrary to the idea of machisimo, commonly believed to be widespread in Latin America. However, it may also be understood to be the result of the common Latin American belief that women are morally superior to men that goes hand in hand with machisimo. Either way, Chinchilla’s election and the increase in female representation in Latin America is a positive trend for women’s rights that will hopefully inspire nations around the world.