On February 13, Marx Arriaga Navarro was dismissed from his position as the Director General of Educational Materials at the Ministry of Public Education (SEP) in Mexico. This decision comes in the wake of growing concerns and criticisms surrounding his management, particularly regarding the representation of women in free textbooks. Arriaga faced backlash for his refusal to increase the representation of women in educational materials, a stance that is seen as inconsistent with the national policies promoting gender equality.

One of the major points of contention during Arriaga's tenure was his handling of textbooks used in primary education, specifically the book 'Mexico: Grandeza y Diversidad de Multigrado'. Critics highlighted that out of about 900 images featured in primary history textbooks created under his supervision, only 9 depicted women. The limited representation included only well-known figures such as Sor Juana Inés de la Cruz and Ángela Peralta, indicating a significant deficiency in gender representation that could influence students' understanding of history and gender roles.

The removal of Arriaga comes at a crucial time in Mexico, where the government is actively trying to implement policies aimed at achieving substantive equality. His departure may signal a shift in how educational materials are developed, with an increased focus on inclusivity and the representation of women in educational contexts. This move could have implications for future textbook content and how gender perspectives are integrated into the educational framework, aligning with societal calls for greater equality in various sectors.