The government of Gustavo Petro started the year with the creation of a new portfolio: the ministry of Equality and Equityoffice that will be directed by Vice President Francia Márquez, and was made official by means of Law 2281 of 2023.
But for the experts, the success its management will depend on the articulation of the public policies that will govern from the portfolio.
(See: The challenges of Minigualdad).
By enacting the law, the President assured that the ministry will have to “learn the hard path of making one of the most unequal countries in the world a space of democracy, freedom and equality”.
Portfolio consulted with the Vice Presidency regarding the road map that the new ministry will take, which according to governmentwill focus on “create options and capacities in people so that they get out of the vicious circle of poverty”.
According to him Government, “The technical analysis of what exists and what is needed puts at the center the need to define a comprehensive offer of goods and services to move from assistance to the creation of conditions and opportunities that promote social mobility.”, and for this a coordinated system between sectors and entities is required.
In the words of the Governmentthe ‘titanic’ task of the Equality and Equity sector will be in offering options so that people, “Regardless of the place where you were born, you can access basic social services in quality and quantity and can generate income. And, in addition, it has the fundamental responsibility of creating human and physical capital in the periphery of Colombia”.
Regarding public policiesfrom the spokesperson for the Vice Presidency it is highlighted that these must have elements to promote ‘transformations’ in various areas that put into question risk or deepen the situation of vulnerability of people.
Among these is the planning, coordination and execution of intersectoral schemes to welfare, care and protection of population groups; and the targeting and financing of investments through strategic infrastructure agendas for regional development.
(See: Government will file a project to create the Ministry of Equality).
Also the management of alliances public-private-community in production processes and income generation; and technical assistance for the development and strengthening of the capacities of territorial entities in the provision of essential services for the communities.
Although since the new Ministry indicators to reduce poverty and inequality are not yet defined, in the bases of the National Development Plan It is expected to reduce the population in multidimensional poverty from 16% to between 9.5% and 11.5%, extreme monetary poverty from 12.2% to between 6.2% and 10.4%, and the poverty gap multidimensional of Pdet municipalities compared to the national benchmark from 12.7 to 4.7 points.
Gustavo Petro and Francia Márquez sign a law that creates the Ministry of Equality
Presidency of the Republic
For the experts, the biggest challenge will be in consolidating public policies from the wallet. “Colombia clearly needs a redesign of the institutional architecture that executes and plans social policy because there are different levels and instruments scattered throughout the Government”, assures the director of Fedesarrollo, Luis Fernando Mejía.
This, according to the economist, must be accompanied by a redesign also on the route social and productive inclusionthat is, social programs.
“In the context of the creation of this ministry, these two elements must be considered and that, in coordination with National Planning, a revolt can be made in the country’s social policy. It is not just creating a ministry, it is taking advantage of this opportunity to take these steps”, indicates Mejía.
The economist and professor at the U. del Rosario, Carlos Sepúlveda, recognizes for his part that the creation of the ministry is a message political on some priority objectives for the government, “but what is important is to understand how it is structured in such a way that it can generate intersectoral policy coordination”.
While Carlos Alberto Garzón, Secretary General of Human Development and Capability Association, recognizes that raising to the ministerial level identifies the need for the National government of having an institution that seeks equal opportunities and guarantees that recognition.
(See: Francia Márquez denounces the discovery of explosives near her house).
“On the other hand, currently there is the Department for Social Prosperity. Which is an entity with similar functions. The challenge then consists in having a line that clearly defines the institutional functionality of each one.”, assures Garzón.
How will the budget and subsidies be managed?
President Petro He was emphatic that the functions of the Ministry of Equality should be prevented from being duplicated with other entities.
For now, according to what Portafolio learned, the definition of the role of coordination or execution of the different programs who will be in charge of the portfolio.
“The issue of subsidies is also part of the analysis that is being carried out with each of the entities and framed in the thematic axes of the Ministry of Equality and Equity. Once that one runs out exerciseThese kinds of decisions will be made.” YoHe indicated Vice Presidency.
In relation to the resources, the president explained that these will come from the redistribution of functions that are currently in other entities within the General budget.
From the Vice Presidency it was clarified that specific values They are being reviewed with the sectors, considering that different legal and administrative procedures need to be developed.
(See: Petro officially creates the Ministry of Equality and Equity).
LAURA LUCIA BECERRA ELEJALDE
PORTFOLIO JOURNALIST
