Society & Culture / Social Issues / Gender & Feminism

Did NAFTA Actually Help Women? The Shocking Mexican Case

Conventional wisdom says globalization hurts women. But a deep dive into 1990s Mexico tells a different story. When NAFTA slashed tariffs, something unexpected happened: women's wages and jobs didn't just survive—they soared. This video breaks down how trade liberalization boosted female employment and relative pay, not through charity, but through industry shifts and tech upgrades that favored cognitive skills over brute strength. We'll show you the data on how women's bargaining power at home even changed family spending—less on booze and tobacco, more on kids' education. Based on a landmark study by economists, this is the real impact of free trade on gender equality. Watch to see why the 'race to the bottom' narrative might be dead wrong.