Women in Chile: Difference between revisions
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==Post-Pinochet Chile== |
==Post-Pinochet Chile== |
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Chile became a [[democracy]], again, in 1990, leading to changes in women's lives and roles within society. From 2006-2010, [[Michelle Bachelet]] served as the first female [[President of Chile]]. Her administration had an active role in furthering opportunities and policies for and about women, creating or improving on childcare, [[pension]] reform and [[breastfeeding]] laws. The [[Cabinet of Chile]], during Bachelet's presidency, had an equal number of men and women ministers. Unlike neighboring [[Argentina]], where 41.6% of the [[Argentine Chamber of Deputies]] is made up of women, Chile's lower house only has 15% women representatives<ref name="StangeOyster2011"/><ref name=Econ1>{{cite web|last=|first=|title=Women in Chile: Left behind|url=http://www.economist.com/node/7281220|work=[[The Economist]]|accessdate=24 February 2012|date=10 August 2006}}</ref>. Argentina has a government mandate requiring that women must make up 30 |
Chile became a [[democracy]], again, in 1990, leading to changes in women's lives and roles within society. From 2006-2010, [[Michelle Bachelet]] served as the first female [[President of Chile]]. Her administration had an active role in furthering opportunities and policies for and about women, creating or improving on childcare, [[pension]] reform and [[breastfeeding]] laws. The [[Cabinet of Chile]], during Bachelet's presidency, had an equal number of men and women ministers. Unlike neighboring [[Argentina]], where 41.6% of the [[Argentine Chamber of Deputies]] is made up of women, Chile's lower house only has 15% women representatives<ref name="StangeOyster2011"/><ref name=Econ1>{{cite web|last=|first=|title=Women in Chile: Left behind|url=http://www.economist.com/node/7281220|work=[[The Economist]]|accessdate=24 February 2012|date=10 August 2006}}</ref>. Argentina has a government mandate requiring that women must make up 30 percent of political party candidates, while Chile has no equivalent law, though certain political parties have their own quotas.<ref name="StangeOyster2011"/> As of 2006, Chile was lower than eight other Latin American countries in regards to women's roles in politics.<ref name=Econ1/> |
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==Culture== |
==Culture== |
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== Economic issues == |
== Economic issues == |
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For jobs that do not require higher education, women make 20 percent less money on average than men. For jobs requiring a university degree, the gap in pay increases to 40 percent. Chile has the lowest rate of female participation in the work force in all of [[Latin America]].<ref name=Menkedick2010/> Women between ages 25 |
For jobs that do not require higher education, women make 20 percent less money on average than men. For jobs requiring a university degree, the gap in pay increases to 40 percent.<ref name=Menkedick2010/> Chile has the lowest rate of female participation in the work force in all of [[Latin America]].<ref name=Menkedick2010/> Women between the ages of 25 and 34 tend to have jobs, whereas older women do not. 41 percent of Chilean women work, versus an average of 53 percent across Latin America. Despite the fact that 47.5 percent of students in college are women, many still choose to be [[homemakers]] rather than joining the workforce. In 2009, activists demanded that presidential candidates develop reforms that would improve work conditions for women. Reforms included [[maternity leave]], flexible work schedules and job training.<ref name="StangeOyster2011"/> Aimed at improving women's work opportunities, former president Michelle Bachelet made it illegal to ask for a job applicants gender on applications and for employers to demand [[pregnancy tests]] be taken by employees.<ref name=Econ1/> |
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Women's low roles in the workforce stem from various factors, including the country's dependance on [[natural resources]], |
Women's low roles in the workforce stem from various factors, including the country's dependance on [[natural resources]], and male dominated industries where women are still slowly finding opportunities for work. In the highly active [[Chilean wine]] industry, one in three [[winemakers]] are women, and in 2010, an estimated one-third of [[enology]] students were women.<ref name=Wine>{{cite web|last=Schachner|first=Michael|title=Chile’s Women Winemakers Take Charge|url=http://www.winemag.com/Wine-Enthusiast-Magazine/Web-2010/Women-Winemakers/|work=[[Wine Enthusiast]]|accessdate=24 February 2012|date=10 August 2006}}</ref> |
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== Domestic violence == |
== Domestic violence == |
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[[Domestic violence in Chile]] is a serious issue affecting a large percentage of the population, especially among lower income demographics. A 2004 [[National Women's Service]] (SERNAM) study reported that 50 percent of married women in Chile had suffered spousal abuse, 34 percent reported having suffered physical violence, and 16 percent reported psychological abuse.<ref name="report">[http://www.state.gov/g/drl/rls/hrrpt/2006/78884.htm Report on Human Rights Practices 2006: Chile]. [[United States]] [[Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor]] (March 6, 2007). ''This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the [[public domain]].''</ref> According to another study from 2004, ninety percent of low income women in Chile experience some type of domestic violence.<ref name="Cianelli2004">{{cite journal|last=Cianelli|first=R.|coauthors=Ferrer, L.; Peragallo, N.|title=Low income Chilean women confronting HIV/AIDS and domestic violence|journal=The XV International AIDS Conference|year=2004|url=http://www.iasociety.org/Default.aspx?pageId=11&abstractId=2169470|accessdate=24 February 2012|location=Bangkok, Thailand}}</ref> Due to the high prevalence of domestic violence, many Chilean women accept it as normal.<ref name="Cianelli2004"/> However, in [[divorce]] was legalized, much to the disapproval of the [[Catholic church]], but to the approval of women throughout the country, especially those concerned about [[domestic violence]], as women were unable to escape abusive relationships due to the divorce laws.<ref name="StangeOyster2011"/> |
[[Domestic violence in Chile]] is a serious issue affecting a large percentage of the population, especially among lower income demographics. A 2004 [[National Women's Service]] (SERNAM) study reported that 50 percent of married women in Chile had suffered spousal abuse, 34 percent reported having suffered physical violence, and 16 percent reported psychological abuse.<ref name="report">[http://www.state.gov/g/drl/rls/hrrpt/2006/78884.htm Report on Human Rights Practices 2006: Chile]. [[United States]] [[Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor]] (March 6, 2007). ''This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the [[public domain]].''</ref> According to another study from 2004, ninety percent of low income women in Chile experience some type of domestic violence.<ref name="Cianelli2004">{{cite journal|last=Cianelli|first=R.|coauthors=Ferrer, L.; Peragallo, N.|title=Low income Chilean women confronting HIV/AIDS and domestic violence|journal=The XV International AIDS Conference|year=2004|url=http://www.iasociety.org/Default.aspx?pageId=11&abstractId=2169470|accessdate=24 February 2012|location=Bangkok, Thailand}}</ref> Due to the high prevalence of domestic violence, many Chilean women accept it as normal.<ref name="Cianelli2004"/> However, in 2004 [[divorce]] was legalized, much to the disapproval of the [[Catholic church]], but to the approval of women throughout the country, especially those concerned about [[domestic violence]], as women were previously unable to escape abusive relationships due to the divorce laws.<ref name="StangeOyster2011"/> |
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From January to November 2005, 76,000 cases of family violence were reported to the ''[[Carabineros]]''; 67,913 were reported by women, 6,404 by men, and approximately 1,000 by children.<ref name="report"/> |
From January to November 2005, 76,000 cases of family violence were reported to the ''[[Carabineros]]''; 67,913 were reported by women, 6,404 by men, and approximately 1,000 by children.<ref name="report"/> |
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Revision as of 07:14, 24 February 2012
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Women in Chile face many economic and political challenges, including income disparity, high rates of domestic violence, and a patriarchal culture emphasizing traditional gender roles.[1]
Post-Pinochet Chile
Chile became a democracy, again, in 1990, leading to changes in women's lives and roles within society. From 2006-2010, Michelle Bachelet served as the first female President of Chile. Her administration had an active role in furthering opportunities and policies for and about women, creating or improving on childcare, pension reform and breastfeeding laws. The Cabinet of Chile, during Bachelet's presidency, had an equal number of men and women ministers. Unlike neighboring Argentina, where 41.6% of the Argentine Chamber of Deputies is made up of women, Chile's lower house only has 15% women representatives[2][3]. Argentina has a government mandate requiring that women must make up 30 percent of political party candidates, while Chile has no equivalent law, though certain political parties have their own quotas.[2] As of 2006, Chile was lower than eight other Latin American countries in regards to women's roles in politics.[3]
Culture
Women almost match male literacy rates, with 95.6% of women being able to read, versus 95.8% men.[2]
Economic issues
For jobs that do not require higher education, women make 20 percent less money on average than men. For jobs requiring a university degree, the gap in pay increases to 40 percent.[1] Chile has the lowest rate of female participation in the work force in all of Latin America.[1] Women between the ages of 25 and 34 tend to have jobs, whereas older women do not. 41 percent of Chilean women work, versus an average of 53 percent across Latin America. Despite the fact that 47.5 percent of students in college are women, many still choose to be homemakers rather than joining the workforce. In 2009, activists demanded that presidential candidates develop reforms that would improve work conditions for women. Reforms included maternity leave, flexible work schedules and job training.[2] Aimed at improving women's work opportunities, former president Michelle Bachelet made it illegal to ask for a job applicants gender on applications and for employers to demand pregnancy tests be taken by employees.[3]
Women's low roles in the workforce stem from various factors, including the country's dependance on natural resources, and male dominated industries where women are still slowly finding opportunities for work. In the highly active Chilean wine industry, one in three winemakers are women, and in 2010, an estimated one-third of enology students were women.[4]
Domestic violence
Domestic violence in Chile is a serious issue affecting a large percentage of the population, especially among lower income demographics. A 2004 National Women's Service (SERNAM) study reported that 50 percent of married women in Chile had suffered spousal abuse, 34 percent reported having suffered physical violence, and 16 percent reported psychological abuse.[5] According to another study from 2004, ninety percent of low income women in Chile experience some type of domestic violence.[6] Due to the high prevalence of domestic violence, many Chilean women accept it as normal.[6] However, in 2004 divorce was legalized, much to the disapproval of the Catholic church, but to the approval of women throughout the country, especially those concerned about domestic violence, as women were previously unable to escape abusive relationships due to the divorce laws.[2]
From January to November 2005, 76,000 cases of family violence were reported to the Carabineros; 67,913 were reported by women, 6,404 by men, and approximately 1,000 by children.[5]
Rape
Rape, including spousal rape, is a criminal offense. Penalties for rape range from five to 15 years' imprisonment, and the government generally enforced the law. The age for statutory rape is 14. The law protects the privacy and safety of the person making the charge. From January to November, police received reports of 1,926 cases of rape, compared with 2,451 cases in all of 2005. Experts believed that most rape cases went unreported. The Ministry of Justice and the PICH had several offices specifically to provide counseling and assistance in rape cases. A number of NGOs, such as La Morada Corporation for Women, provided counseling for rape victims.[5]
Sexual harassment
Sexual harassment generally was recognized as a problem. A 2005 law against sexual harassment provides protection and financial compensation to victims and penalizes harassment by employers or co-workers. From January through September, the Labor Directorate had received 244 complaints of sexual harassment; 205 of these cases involved harassment by a supervisor or employer. During 2005 there were 264 such complaints--254 made by women and 10 by men; 238 of these cases involved a supervisor or employer. Most of the complaints were resolved quickly, resulting in action against the harasser in 33 percent of cases.[5]
Legal rights
Women enjoy the same legal rights as men, including rights under family law and property law. The quadrennial 2004 National Socio-Economic Survey suggested that the overall gender income gap remained at 33 percent, which widened to 38 percent in managerial and professional positions. Women's workforce participation rose to 42 percent. The minimum wage for domestic workers, probably the largest single category of working women, was 75 percent of the standard minimum wage (see section 6.e.). The labor code provides specific benefits for pregnant workers and recent mothers, including a prohibition against dismissal; these benefits also apply to domestic workers. Employers may not ask women to take pregnancy tests prior to hiring them, although the NGO La Morada received reports that the practice continued in some companies. The SERNAM is charged with protecting women's legal rights.[5]
Discrimination
A 2005 study by Corporacion Humana and the University of Chile's Institute of Public Affairs revealed that 87 percent of women surveyed felt that women suffered discrimination. According to the survey, 95 percent believed women faced discrimination in the labor market, 67 percent believed they faced discrimination in politics, 61 percent felt that women were discriminated against by the media, and 54 percent within the family.[5]
Family
Today, younger women are opting out of marriage and having less children than their predecessors. A 2002 study reported that urban women average 2.1 children per woman with women living in rural areas having more children, at 2.9. As of the 1990s, both urban and rural women were averaging less children than previously. For those women who do have children, after former president Michelle Bachelet's childcare mandates, childcare centers that provide free services are four times more numerous. Nursing mothers also have the legal right to breastfeed during the workday. In 2004, divorce was legalized in the country.[2]
Health
Women in Chile have long life expectancy, living an average of 80.8 years.[2]
Family planning
Chile has some of the strictest abortion laws in the world. Therapeutic abortion is illegal under all circumstances. Estimates range between 120,000 and 160,000 in the numbers of Chilean women who have illegal abortions each year. In 2002, over half of Chileans were in favor of legalized abortion, specifically regarding pregnancy from rape and situations when the mother's life is in danger due to pregnancy.[2]
See also
References
- ^ a b c Menkedick, Sarah (23 May 2010). "Machismo in Chile: Serious Barrier to Gender Equality". Change.org. Retrieved 24 February 2012.
- ^ a b c d e f g h Mary Zeiss Stange; Carol K. Oyster; Jane E. Sloan (23 February 2011). Encyclopedia of Women in Today's World. SAGE. pp. 280–. ISBN 978-1-4129-7685-5. Retrieved 24 February 2012.
- ^ a b c "Women in Chile: Left behind". The Economist. 10 August 2006. Retrieved 24 February 2012.
- ^ Schachner, Michael (10 August 2006). "Chile's Women Winemakers Take Charge". Wine Enthusiast. Retrieved 24 February 2012.
- ^ a b c d e f Report on Human Rights Practices 2006: Chile. United States Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor (March 6, 2007). This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain.
- ^ a b Cianelli, R. (2004). "Low income Chilean women confronting HIV/AIDS and domestic violence". The XV International AIDS Conference. Bangkok, Thailand. Retrieved 24 February 2012.
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