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Why is Mary called the second Eve in some Christian traditions?

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Antonello da Messina: Madonna and Child — Mary *Madonna and Child*, oil and tempera on panel by Antonello da Messina, 1475; in the National Gallery of Art, Washington D.C.

In Christian tradition, Mary is called the "second Eve" because of the theological parallel drawn between her and Eve. This concept centers on the contrast between disobedience and obedience in the context of salvation history.1

Just as Adam is viewed as the first man whose disobedience brought sin into the world, Jesus is seen as the one through whom humanity is made alive. Building on this, the Church Father St. Irenaeus elaborated on the parallel between Eve and Mary at the end of the 2nd century. He noted that Eve, as a virgin, disobeyed the word of God, whereas Mary, also as a virgin, obeyed it.1

By this obedience, Mary is understood to have participated in the life that made salvation possible, effectively "undoing" the virginal disobedience of Eve. This tradition ascribes to Mary an active role in the redemption of the human race, positioning her as an advocate who helped restore what was lost through the fall of humanity.12