First results
“Impact of Covid-19 on Women in
Latin America and the Caribbean”
WE OBTAINED
WE WANT
Voices and testimonies of Latin American women that give visibility to their experiences of suffering and discrimination, as well as strength and resilience during the pandemic.
To raise awareness and generate actions that favour the development of women in the post-pandemic period, based on the teachings of the Catholic Church.
as much from the studies collected, as well as from the field experts consulted and the thousands of surveys conducted, that the holistic and principal effect of the pandemic on the situation of women in Latin America and the Caribbean was the deepening and aggravation of structural, pre-existing social, economic and cultural inequalities, such as:
We noted,
INCREASE IN GENDER- BASED
VIOLENCE
DECLINE IN FINANCIAL AUTONOMY
INCREASE IN CARE WORK ENTRUSTED TO THEM
DETRIMENT TO PHYSICAL AND MENTAL HEALTH
INCREASE IN XENOPHOBIA AND RACISM
EDUCATIONAL DIFFICULTIES EXACERBATED BY SOCIAL INEQUALITIES
AGGRAVATION OF THE FEMINISATION OF POVERTY
LIGHTS AND SHADOWS IN THE WOMEN-CHURCH RELATIONSHIP
INCREASE IN HUMAN TRAFFICKING AND ORGANISED CRIME
Some of the Proposals:
Creation of spaces for accompaniment, listening and support, where women can feel safe and seek help;
Training in women’s leadership in all areas, including pastoral and theological education and preparation as pastoral agents for new ministries;
Representation of women in public spaces, focusing on collaboration rather than
competition;
Reflection on gender theories and prioritisation of gender “permeating” pastoral,
governmental and social efforts and actions;
Actions to humanise relationships through intergenerational conversation circles;
Research and dissemination on structural and symbolic violence;
Prevention of violence by working, from childhood onwards, for equal rights between men and women, together with strategies to reverse, among others, the problems of access to education - including digital education - and overcoming poverty;
Reform of law enforcement systems in order to provide a comprehensive and effective response to the serious problem of violence against women;
Creation of mourning spaces to share experiences and pray together, adding popular religiosity as a healing factor.