We work to eliminate all gaps between men and women

The 21st century was declared by the HIM as the “century of women”. But it’s hard to believe when we still see our rights violated. THE women we are suffering violence and discrimination. This is why today, in addition to recognizing and saluting your dynamism, your achievements and your courage, I suggest that you continue this fight for all those who are still going through situations of vulnerability.

Throughout my professional life, I have worked in fields dominated by men. Thirty years ago, I graduated as an economist and, at that time, few women attended these salons. And there were even fewer who managed to receive the title. In 1997, I did the Nation’s Foreign Serviceand over 20 males we were only 3 women. Clearly well below quota. That is why today I am very happy to see how, little by little, we are changing this reality.

My college experience taught me that I could never take my place in society for granted. My case was an exception to the rule and not an easy standard for other women to achieve. The fact that hurts us the most according to the statistics of UN Women is that one in three women in the world has suffered physical or sexual violence at some point in your life. But, in addition, the same statistics show us that in many countries, women have less access to education, medical care, work, as well as other fundamental rights.

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In Argentina, in terms of rightsWe still have a long way to go. There gender pay gap it is a persistent and important problem. This is demonstrated by the official data published by the Directorate General for Labor Studies and Statistics. According to their statistics, in 2022 the wage gap between men and women reached its highest point in the last decade, marking a difference of more than 25%. This means that the women in argentina we earn on average 25% less than men for the same job.

This wage gap not only generates an impact in economic terms, but also highlights a deeper socio-cultural problem: the social value that women represent is minimized. This is reflected, for example, in the maternity and care work, actions associated with female worldand which are not recognized as crucial for the sustainability of society.

The field of manual labor, as well as that of higher hierarchical positions, is also generally dominated by men, although there is a high percentage of professionally trained women to fill this type of role. Moreover, women are often overrepresented in precarious and poorly paid jobs, which further aggravates the situation.

An unpaid debt, to women in vulnerable situations, is the full implementation of the National Comprehensive Care and Attention during Pregnancy Act (Law 27.611/2021), which aims to protect but also to support all the girls and the boysfrom birth to the first three years of life.

The place that women occupy in society today is the product of a tireless struggle: historically, we have refused to adapt to a world that dictates our possibilities, and instead have created our own rules and spaces with intelligence, creativity and great resilience.

We can find a clear example of this phenomenon in the direction of Angela Merkel. Daughter of a pastor, who during the 15 years of her government has kept her values ​​and ideals firm, and it is precisely thanks to her authenticity that she has managed to win the mandate of her country and its respect.

In a political environment where power is still disputed, Merkel has been able to proliferate with essentially feminine traits: humility and a vocation for dialogue.

Our fight must continue, even if I personally suggest it, proud of the changes we have achieved so far, of the strength and security that we have been able to achieve thanks to our achievements. Although there is still a long way to go to eliminate the acts of violence, inequality and discrimination that women continue to suffer, our defense must come from all that we want to promote, with dialogue, firmness, empathy, among many other virtues that characterized by all that is missing.

This embrace, affection and respect is for all of you, those who are no longer here, those who continue tirelessly and those who will come; hopefully not to fight, but to enjoy natural actions where these matters are just a past chapter in history. And so simple, it has very little.

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