At present, according to the National Institute of Statistics (INE) and the National Statistical System (SEN), the data reflected in a report for the year 2021-2025 indicates that 37% of women in Paraguay who, in total, add up to number 703,000 households, are maintained by single women (heads of their households).
Those who work in a dependency relationship do not reach the amount of the minimum wage in accordance with the provisions of the Law, with an average salary of G. 1,900,000, with a smaller difference of Gs. 600,000, of what men earn.
It is part of the data, the existing gaps such as: the lack of opportunities in equal conditions, domestic violence, the scarcity in terms of education and health, the demands and responsibilities assumed by women in the roles of being mother and father to At the same time, they play against the lack of balance in the time they spend with their children.
In this context, these figures are increasing, in which women, due to various circumstances, take “the post” of a great responsibility to carry out the upbringing of children, in most cases without the help of the father, that is ” a practically absent father”, the children do not receive the affection, the love and the emotional and economic support. Sadly, single women must absorb this situation all by themselves, due to the fact that there are still laws to review regarding food provision, which currently “is not enough”, and does not adjust to the reality of the children’s needs.
We see in each situation, how man has more freedom to disregard obligations and responsibilities, with a minimum contribution (if he contributes), that the general well-being (comprehensive assistance such as: attention, affection, dedication) of the boy and/or girl; it usually happens that the father does not attend, does not visit him, is disinterested when the son gets sick, countless complaints, claims and complaints from a self-sacrificing “single mother” who carries the full weight of responsibility on her shoulders, and who feels a great impotence in the face of such disinterest in the situation in which he lives.
On the one hand, we have the Mother working in a situation of labor dependency, fulfilling a fixed schedule, at the same time, dedicated to the home and the children, with school chores, who is left in charge of the minors, ensuring their well-being of their children and to basic needs; on the other, a father who provides a “miserable” economic support, which in reality does not cover: food, education and medical insurance for his children.
The current authorities continue to neglect this problem, even when there is an institution that is responsible for ensuring the rights of women, such as the Ministry of Women, we do not see actions or programs that dedicate attention and assistance to single mothers.
