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In Latin America and
the Caribbean, the effects of globalisation have seriously increased
the differences in the status of women and men, particularly with
regard to women's economic situation. While we observe and welcome
a rising number of women in parliament and other decision- making
bodies, inequalities between women and men in social and economic
policies are increasing.
Women are affected by
the world economy through different forms of exploitation and trafficking.
Forced to leave their places of origin due to poverty, many women
look for employment in foreign countries, often as illegal immigrants,
subject to atrocious working conditions and insecurity.
Furthermore, in flagrant
violation of their human rights, women are faced by numerous obstacles
when competing for and winning elected positions or rising to decision-making
positions in public administration at all levels.
The case of Chile is
an example how legislation and policies tailored to the needs of
women effectively raise women's status and economic situation in
society. This undoubtedly contributed to the election of a woman
president in Chile, Michelle Bachelet, a member of the family of
Socialist International.
Participants of the
regional SIW meeting expect leaders of the Left, especially of SI
member parties in Latin America and the Caribbean, to make serious
and sustainable efforts to guarantee women's real equality. To this
end the formation of women's organisations as integral part of political
parties is essential. This would allow to overcome the current and
historical socio cultural characteristics in the interaction of
women and men, and the disregard of the valuable contribution made
by women to the economy and to society.
Socialist International
Women considers that the proposal of National Reconciliation proposed
by the Sandinista National Liberation Front (FSLN) through the "Alianza
Unida Nicaragua Triunfa", is an opportunity to repair wounds,
an invaluable tool to create national consensus and to build a common
horizon that will provide the people and especially women with real
participation.
Consequently, Socialist
International Women appeals to the governments of the countries
in the region, especially those led by SI member parties:
to sign and ratify
all the international treaties, agreements, conventions and pacts
to eliminate all forms of discrimination against women;
to ensure the
implementation of such treaties, agreements, conventions and pacts
where they have been signed and ratified;
to establish
stricter sanctions in their laws that punish people for all forms
of violence against women;
to consider gender
equality as a priority in education plans and programmes, from basic
through to postgraduate education;
to promote the
participation of women in politics in their country, promoting female
leadership and creating more opportunities in public office trough
the establishment and or development of national machineries to
achieve social and economic equality for women;
to include an
agenda for women aimed at, appropriately and sufficiently, increasing
the annual budget for the development and implementation of all
the relevant social programmes and
to promote sustainable
development policies with economic growth focused on reducing poverty,
as well as protecting natural resources and promoting indigenous
cultures.
Socialist International
Women is convinced that the inclusion of women in political life
benefits the social, economic and cultural development of the country
in general.
Socialist International
Women gathered in Managua, Nicaragua congratulate the FSLN for presenting
a list with 40% women candidates for national parliament and 30%
on provincial lists, and wish all of them every success in the forthcoming
elections, which will ensure a feminist perspective in future government
policies. We particularly commend the proposal by the FSLN leadership
to present a government with 50% women ministers and 50% women in
public office.
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