From political representation and employment rights to tackling
poverty and domestic violence, women’s advancement in Venezuela has been
remarkable since Hugo Chavez was elected president in 1998. But these changes haven’t happened by accident. Women themselves
have been a driving force behind the revolutionary process and gender equality was
enshrined in Venezuela’s progressive constitution adopted in 1999.
For decades feminists across the world have demanded recognition
that domestic labour, largely carried out by women, is economically productive.
Section 88 of Venezuela’s constitution is the only one in the world that
acknowledges this and over 100,000 women in poverty have benefitted, receiving
financial support, education, training and access to social security. The government has also helped some of Venezuela’s poorest and
most excluded women buy essential household goods such as fridges, cookers and
washing machines, thanks to the creation of the world’s first development bank
that lends almost exclusively to women.
Venezuela’s Banmujer, or Women’s Development Bank, was set
up to tackle poverty and empower women in their communities. Through providing
low-interest loans, advice and workshops about a range of issues, women have
the financial means and confidence to set up small businesses and co-operatives.
Over 500,000 jobs have been created as a result of Banmujer’s work, giving
financial independence to women and economic benefits to the wider community.
Women are also changing the face of their communities
through leading social programmes and participating in community councils,
which set local budgets and projects funded by the government. These councils
are made up of around 200-400 households in each neighbourhood and 70 per cent
of participants are women. With this high activity at grassroots level, it’s
not surprising that women account for over half of elected mayors and regional
government officials.
At the national level women have more seats in Parliament
than ever before, lead important ministries and shape national policy. The
Inamujer, or National Women’s Institute, was instrumental in forming and
enforcing the law on the right of women to a life free of violence. Recognised
by Amnesty as a positive step towards women’s liberation, this law has prompted
training of police and legal staff to deal specifically with and prevent
gendered violence.
Venezuela has adopted progressive rights for women and
mothers at work too. Under the recently adopted Labour Law, which has improved
rights for all workers, specific measures for women include an increase in
maternity leave, job security for expectant mothers, and better childcare
provision. Employers with over 20 employees must provide a crèche for children
between 3 months and 6 years old.
These rights have made it easier for new mothers to remain
in work, attain senior positions and overturn a deep-seated prejudice against
women workers. It’s hard to believe that before the revolution an employer had
the right to ask a woman to submit a pregnancy test if she was offered a job!
Thankfully that is now outlawed and women account for 42 per cent of the
workforce, up from 20 per cent before Chavez was elected. It’s worth noting
that Venezuela also has South America’s smallest gender pay gap.
These are just some of the developments made by women and
for women in Venezuela. It is astonishing that these huge strides in gender
equality have been made in only 14 years and shows just how much can be
achieved with the political will and dedication of a socialist government.
While women in Venezuela continue to benefit from policies,
institutions and groups set up to specifically tackle gender inequality, it is
important to remember that equally, Venezuelan society has benefitted from
women’s more active participation in democratic structures that continue to
build a better society for all Venezuelans.
