Respect and Dignity for Women Lacking in Latin America
Although notable progress in gender equality has been seen in recent years, this low percentage in relation to the rest of the world reflects how gender inequality and violence against women persist throughout Latin America. Less than half of adults in 17 of the 22 Latin American countries surveyed in the past two years said women are treated with respect and dignity in their own countries.
Within Latin America, Peruvians and Colombians were the least likely to say women are respected. Only one in five residents in each country said they are, which is consistent with findings from previous years. In both countries, this issue has captured the attention of the media and national governments. In Colombia, newly re-elected President Juan Manuel Santos declared a “National Day for the Dignity of Women” in response to the high incidence of violence toward women in the country. The Defensoría del Pueblo reported in November 2013 that 85 women are killed a month in Colombia. Another 924 are victims of sexual abuse, and more than 2,600 report familial violence. Leaders in Peru are working to criminalize sexual harassment in the street in response to increased incidents targeting women.
More: Respect and Dignity for Women Lacking in Latin America