An 8M marked by the social crisis and the slow conquest of rights in Peru

International Women’s Day was marked by the political and social crisis that the country has been going through for three months, in a day in which feminist groups and protesters called for more democracy and an end to gender discrimination.

It may interest you: Ermelinda Carrera: a saint for all women in need in Peru

“Despite the progress that has been achieved in our country in terms of the incorporation of women in different areas, including political participation, it is not yet reflected in the income they receive, nor in the brake on femicide . The fight for equality, against violence, discrimination and for democracy must not be left aside,” said Yolanda Roca, a sociologist who is an expert in Gender.

“Our women face a series of barriers in the labor and social world, unfortunately these are aspects where gender inequities are evident,” she added.

According to the INEI employment report, the average income of women represents 71% of the income of men, that is, there is a gender gap in income of S/496.5.

“Law No. 30709 that prohibits remunerative discrimination between men and women. Sunafil points out that, from 2020 to September 2022, 84 wage infraction certificates were issued between men and women, despite having the same functions. The companies were fined,” said Roca.

It may interest you: Women’s Day: in what economic activities do Peruvians work and how many are heads of household

“In Peru, wage gaps are greater in the informal sector; here women have a strong presence, without social benefits. This aspect is associated with the fact that the responsibility for domestic work and family care still falls on them; therefore, they do not have the same development opportunities and have time to study and gain work experience. This situation makes it difficult for him to access a paid job with his due promotions, ”she continued.

The motto of the marches called throughout the country was ‘Women in resistance. For life and democracy’, in reference to the rejection caused by part of the population of the Government of President Dina Boluarte, during which 76 people have died in protests against her since the beginning of December.

Aymara women and other regional delegations also gathered in the capital to hold a peaceful sit-in in which they demanded Boluarte’s resignation.

Another aspect where gender inequality is evident is in femicide, in 2022 137 women were murdered, almost 7 percent less compared to 2021, and 5,380 disappearances, most of them girls and adolescents. In contexts of crisis, hate speech has risen and murders of transsexual women have increased in recent weeks.

It may interest you: Women’s Day: events and activities to commemorate Peruvian women

According to the Ombudsman’s Office, the various measures aimed at preventing it are not being effective. “Efforts are slow. Public policies aimed at banishing this scourge must have a sufficient budget, since it is an emergency that has been going on for several years,” said the expert.

“It is up to our governments to promote economic reactivation from a gender perspective, which includes care policies for our children in alliance with public and private companies, only then can women be trained and work full time, this will have a strong impact on break the cycle of sexist violence”, he said.

In addition to highlighting the current situation, the collectives also repeat their historic proclamations: “Let the macho tremble, that Latin America is going to be all feminist.”

“We have several challenges, these become uncertain as the political and social crisis continues,” concludes the expert, before rejecting the racist and misogynistic expressions of the Minister of Education, Óscar Becerra, who attacked the Aymara women who participated in anti-government protests in Lima, and compared them to animals.

---

Source

---