Within the framework of the commemoration of International Women’s Day and accompanied by the First Lady, Cecilia Morel and the Minister for Women, Mónica Zalaquett, the President of the Republic, Sebastián Piñera, referred to the gap that remains today in day between women and men, ensuring that the health crisis made these differences even more evident.
“Today we want to remember those brave and persevering women who dedicated their lives and made great contributions to the cause of women,” was the president’s first message.
As for what the coronavirus has caused in the country, Piñera assured that “we have faced a harsh economic crisis,” adding that this situation “hit women especially and harder. It revealed the depth of the gaps that still exist between men and women in our country”.
“The unequal load of unpaid work has increased and, in addition, statistics show that confinement made us even more vulnerable to situations of domestic violence. That is why, as a Government, we have ensured that the entire economic and social reactivation agenda has a focus on of gender to recognize these realities,” she stressed.
“We have made great progress, but we also have a long way to go,” he added.
For her part, Minister Zalaquett stated that today’s meeting is to “commemorate and reflect on the progress and the road that we still have to go.”
“We reiterate our call to society as a whole to continue advancing with commitment, respect and courage in gender equality in order to overcome gaps,” he asserted.
The First Lady, Cecilia Morel, said that “we still live in a hostile society for many, which has not achieved the elimination of all types of gender violence and that the cultural change that is required for them is advancing but not with the urgency that it requires.” .
As a result of the conflict in Ukraine, Morel said that the situation “leads me to show solidarity with the women of Ukraine and express all my admiration for their courage and dedication. During this week, we have seen how they are at the forefront with weapons in hand, fiercely defending their country, their communities and accompanying men but also daring to go to the front line”.
