A New Resource: ECLAC: "Women's Contribution to Equality in Latin America and the Caribbean"
The structural pattern of inequalities between women and men is often determined by two key elements: their levels of participation in politics and decision-making processes; and their contributions to the economy (both paid and unpaid).
Electoral system reforms (for instance the introduction of quota laws) have helped but, in order to make a real difference, other aspects of political culture must also be changed. For example: women often have less money than men and cannot draw on social networks so easily; and they have less time due to their reproductive work obligations. As far as women's contribution to the economy is concerned they dedicate a significant amount of time to caregiving, irrespective of their employment status. However, this contribution to their household's wellbeing can often disadvantage them when they try to enter the labour force to gain economic independence and access social protection systems linked to the labour market, such as pensions. Universal access to social protection must be provided to promote women's empowerment and well-being, and to foster shared responsibility for unpaid work between men and women. In addition, more comprehensive public action is required by the State and the private sector to facilitate the work of caring for the sick, older persons and the disabled.
By: Montaño, S. et al.
Published by: Women and Development Unit of the Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (ECLAC)
Donor: Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (ECLAC)
Published: 2007
This resource is available in English, Spanish, French, Portuguese.
For further information and to access this resource (in all the above languages), please visit http://www.siyanda.org/search/summary.cfm?nn=3251&ST=SS&Keywords=politics&SUBJECT=0&Donor=&StartRow=1&Ref=Sim
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