Latin America a Fascinating Arena for Looking at the Development of Women

Laura Liswood is guest bloging for the Forum. She is the Secretary-General, Council of Women World Leaders and a member of the World Economic Forum Global Gender Parity Group and will be attending the World Economic Forum on Latin America from April 27-29.

The Latin America Regional Summit will examine many key issues for the region.  These include trade, employment, inclusive growth, agriculture, environment, human rights.  These are all crucial. 

For me,  I am particularly eager to continue the dialogue about women and girls development.  Why?  Because, as one panel is titled  Five Regional Challenges, One Solution: Women, women can be a major force in a country’s development and well being.  The panel will address talent and education, health and nutrition, leadership, employment and business performance and national competitiveness.

Latin America is a fascinating arena for looking at the development of women and girls.  According to the World Economic Forum Gender Gap Report, authored by Saadia Zahidi, a Forum director, much of the region has come close to closing gaps in health and education for girls and women.  Gaps however remain in economic and political areas with large wage gaps and few women at the top of organizations.  Many women work in low paying, unskilled service work; political representations at local and national levels are low.

And yet, best practices abound in many countries.  The election of Michelle Batchelet to the Chilean presidency in 2006 ushered in what is sometimes called the ‘era of last Presidentas” with De Kirchner of Argentina, Rouseff of Brazil, Chinchilla of Costa Rica and Persa-Bissessar of Trinidad and Tobago following her as President or Prime Minister.

Conditional cash transfers is an investment that has shown high returns and have been responsible for getting many children into school and assuring vaccinations and better health care for  mothers and children.

Several countries are exploring the use of quotas for political representation and ministries of women’s affairs have had an impact in many areas, particularly gender based violence.

Overall, Latin America has made great strides towards gender equality.  This summit is an opportunity to highlight that progress and to share best practices within the region.

This is what I look forward to and welcome.