Lieutenant Colonel Guadalupe Alvarado Ortiz She tried to enlist in the United Nations peacekeeping missions carried out by the Blue Helmets, but without intending to do so, she became the first deputy military attaché in a foreign representation of Mexico.
She is a military nurse and also, thanks to the opening of spaces for her female staff at the secretariat of the national defense (Sedena) reached the diplomatic field for which he had to prepare.
Out of 80 candidates, women and men, the Lieutenant Colonel was selected as a Deputy Military Attaché at the Mexican Embassy in South Africa, after participating in a competition held in January 2020.
“It is a responsibility because I am the first woman in this position and you have to set an excellent precedent for future ones. female generations of ours Armed Forces, that they also feel that calling to serve Mexico in committees like this and to prepare, ”he says THE UNIVERSAL.
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In the context of International Women’s Day, Alvarado Ortiz believes that the current responsibility of women is “to continue to clear the way, to remove those pebbles that some women have” and to prevent them from developing under conditions of equality.
How did you find out that you would become the first Deputy Military Attaché?
– When I got my document I was surprised because I was looking for an opportunity to go to the UN peacekeepers and suddenly when I saw it I thought I was going to leave. HEM-HER-IT and not as a military attaché, it was very shocking. I was at a very good time in my career, I was the director of the Child Development Center Number 1, I was fascinated by that appointment to learn things.
What tasks do you perform in the attaché?
—In general, it is the task of the military attachés to serve as a communication, coordination and liaison bridge for the Sedena with the Armed Forces in countries where Mexico is present.
This with the aim of exchanging experiences and making agreements for the benefit of our country, especially our armed institute in various fields, such as education, science and health.
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How do you rate the contribution women have made to the Mexican Armed Forces?
—I think the most important contribution we have as part of the army is that opening to in person female into areas previously exclusive to men, allows managers to observe from a different perspective areas of opportunity and improvement that affect the benefit of all staff.
An example is that a development center for children and not only because the number of women increased, but it also gave men the opportunity to take in their children. The evolution of society is notorious and we have different kinds of families, there are also single parents and it was opened up to them too, I think it is one of the great contributions.
What message are you sending to women in connection with International Women’s Day?
– All women must understand that the freedoms that women currently give ourselves are a collective effortThere was a long history in the fight, many women fought for the right to equal opportunities, equal treatment and for the protection of the various interests that concern us because of our quality and gender status.
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Our current responsibility is to continue clearing the way, removing those pebbles that some women have, but it is also to set free so that the next generations can move forward, it is also to prepare. raise your voice If necessary, to support and defend other women who don’t have the conditions or a path without thorns, at the end of the day it’s always to support each other and continue to set a good precedent
What are your ambitions as a woman and in the military?
– Continue to rise as a soldier as that is our ambition, at the end of the day our entire career will be reflected and rewarded with promotions. I think I have achieved all of my goals, but every time new opportunities arise, this is one.
Years ago I would not have thought of being one military attache Because I had no chance I couldn’t come to you Say a fixed goal … I don’t have it now I’m open to possibilities, here’s the most important thing to be prepared and now I have to take the opportunity and if you that place wins, do your best. Right now, my first goal is to perform well on this committee, which would be one of the top priority goals.
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What message do you send to women interested in joining the military?
– When I joined the military the slogan was “Mexican army, an option in your future”, and the truth is it was an option in my future and now I believe when you join the armed forces you have great opportunities to represent Mexico and to work in a different, creative way and close to our society. That would be the main message, we really do work every day and each of us as soldiers.