Women in Uruguay

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Women in Uruguay
Paulina Luisi.jpg
Paulina Luisi was a prominent Uruguayan feminist leader, and also the first Uruguayan woman to graduate as a physician.
General Statistics
Maternal mortality  (per 100,000)29 (2010)
Women in parliament 16% (2014) [1]
Women over 25 with secondary education 50.6% (2010)
Women in labour force68% (2014) [2]
Gender Inequality Index [3]
Value0.235 (2021)
Rank58th out of 191
Global Gender Gap Index [4]
Value0.711 (2022)
Rank72nd out of 146

Women in Uruguay are women who were born in, who live in, and are from Uruguay. According to Countries and Their Cultures, there is a "very high proportion" of Uruguayan women participating in the labor force of the South American country. The Uruguayan legislation maintains that the women of Uruguay have equal rights to power, authority, and privileges". In reality, however, women are still not occupying "higher economic, professional, political, social, and religious positions". [5] In relation to the political arena, UN Women reported that a 2012 study made by the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) ranked Uruguay as being "103rd out of 189 countries in terms of representation of women in Parliament". [6] Uruguay low ranking is partly due to its low political participation of women: only 16% of members of Parliament are women as of 2014. [1]

Contents

Notable women

One prominent Uruguayan woman is Paulina Luisi. Luisi was a leader of the feminist movement in the country of Uruguay. In 1909, she became the first woman in the country to obtain a medical degree and was highly respected. She represented Uruguay in international women's conferences and traveled throughout Europe. She voiced her opinion on women's rights, and in 1919, Paulina started the force for women's rights in Uruguay. By 1922, the Pan-American Conference of Women named Paulina Luisi an honorary vice president of the meeting and she continued to be an activist until Uruguay gave women the right to vote.

Domestic violence

Domestic violence is a very serious problem, [7] especially so-called crimes of passion, which until 2017 were tolerated under Article 36 of the Penal Code (The passion provoked by adultery) – Artículo 36. (La pasión provocada por el adulterio). [8] On December 22, 2017, Article 36 of the Criminal Code was modified to remove the crime of passion. [9] There had been ongoing political efforts to remove this provision from the Criminal Code since 2013. [10] [11] [12]

Before 2006, perpetrators of rape could avoid punishment if, after the assault, they married the victim. [13] Uruguay's law against domestic violence is Ley Nº 17.514, enacted in 2002. [14]

According to a 2018 United Nations study, Uruguay has the second-highest rate of killings of women by current or former partners in Latin America, after Dominican Republic. [15]

Abortion

The abortion law of Uruguay is very liberal compared to the other Latin American countries. In 2012, Uruguay become the second country in Latin America, after Cuba, to legalize elective abortion (during the first 12 weeks of pregnancy). [16]

Women in politics

Unlike most other Latin American countries, women are not very present in politics. Uruguay has one of the lowest percentages of women in politics in Latin America. [17] Only 12% of the members of the Uruguayan parliament are women. [18] Though there are both national and international efforts being made to increase the presence of women in politics, [18] bias in political systems has limited the number of women holding office in Uruguay. [19]

The first female vice president of Uruguay, Beatriz Argimón, was elected to office in 2020. [20] The office of president has never been held by a woman in Uruguay. [21] Beatriz Argimón was one of the founders of the Women's Caucus in Uruguayan parliamen t before she was elected vice president. [22] Women's Caucuses in non-Western countries are often able to create visibility for women's issues and more effectively pass related legislation. [23] Uruguay's women's caucus was formed in 2000. [23]

See also

Further reading

Asunción Lavrin, Women, Feminism and Social Change: Argentina, Chile and Uruguay, 1890–1940 (Nebraska Press, 1995)

Related Research Articles

A crime of passion, in popular usage, refers to a violent crime, especially homicide, in which the perpetrator commits the act against someone because of sudden strong impulse such as anger or jealousy rather than as a premeditated crime. A high level of social and legal acceptance of crimes of passion has been historically associated with France from the 19th century to the 1970s, and until recently with Latin America.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Paulina Luisi</span> Uruguayan doctor and feminist

Paulina Luisi Janicki (1875–1950) was a leader of the feminist movement in the country of Uruguay. In 1909, she became the first Uruguayan woman to earn a medical degree and was a firm advocate of sex education in the schools. She represented Uruguay in international women's conferences and traveled throughout Latin America and Europe. She was also the first Latin American woman to participate in the League of Nations and became one its most influential early activists. Her work has had a lasting effect on women of the Americas.

Uxoricide is the killing of one's own wife. It can refer to the act itself or the person who carries it out. It can also be used in the context of the killing of one's own girlfriend. The killing of a husband or boyfriend is called mariticide.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Abortion in Argentina</span>

Abortion in Argentina is legal as an elective medical procedure during the first 14 weeks from conception. The abortion law was liberalized after the Voluntary Interruption of Pregnancy Bill (Argentina) was passed by the National Congress in December 2020. According to the law, any woman can request the procedure at any public or private health facility. Doctors are legally bound to either perform it or, if they are conscientious objectors, refer the patient to another physician or health facility. Only three other Latin or South American countries legalised abortion on request nationwide before Argentina did: Cuba in 1965, Guyana in 1995 and Uruguay in 2012. According to polling in 2021, around 44% of Argentines support the legalization of abortion on request; other polls showed 50–60% of Argentines opposed the bill.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">LGBT rights in Uruguay</span>

Lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) rights in Uruguay rank among the highest in the world. Same-sex sexual activity has been legal with an equal age of consent since 1934. Anti-discrimination laws protecting LGBT people have been in place since 2004. Civil unions for same-sex couples have been allowed since 2008 and same-sex marriages since 2013, in accordance with the nation's same-sex marriage law passed in early 2013. Additionally, same-sex couples have been allowed to jointly adopt since 2009 and gays, lesbians and bisexuals are allowed to serve openly in the military.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Plaza Independencia</span>

Plaza Independencia is the most important city square in Montevideo, Uruguay, laid out in the 19th century in the area occupied by the Citadel of Montevideo. In its center is a monument to General José Gervasio Artigas, and below it, his mausoleum.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Women in Argentina</span> Overview of the status of women in Argentina

The status of women in Argentina has changed significantly following the return of democracy in 1983; and they have attained a relatively high level of equality. In the Global Gender Gap Report prepared by the World Economic Forum in 2009, Argentine women ranked 24th among 134 countries studied in terms of their access to resources and opportunities relative to men. They enjoy comparable levels of education, and somewhat higher school enrollment ratios than their male counterparts. They are well integrated in the nation's cultural and intellectual life, though less so in the nation's economy. Their economic clout in relation to men is higher than in most Latin American countries, however, and numerous Argentine women hold top posts in the Argentine corporate world; among the best known are María Amalia Lacroze de Fortabat, former CEO and majority stakeholder of Loma Negra, the nation's largest cement manufacturer, and Ernestina Herrera de Noble, director of Grupo Clarín, the premier media group in Argentina.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">LGBT rights in the Dominican Republic</span>

Lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) persons in the Dominican Republic do not enjoy the same rights as non-LGBT residents, and face legal and social challenges that are not experienced by other people. While the Dominican Criminal Code does not expressly prohibit same-sex sexual relations or cross-dressing, it also does not address discrimination or harassment on the account of sexual orientation or gender identity, nor does it recognize same-sex unions in any form, whether it be marriage or partnerships. Households headed by same-sex couples are also not eligible for any of the same rights given to opposite-sex married couples, as same-sex marriage is constitutionally banned in the country.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Diego Cánepa (politician)</span> Uruguayan lawyer and politician

Diego Cánepa Baccino is a Uruguayan lawyer and politician. Member of Nuevo Espacio, a social democratic political party headed by Senator Rafael Michelini that is part of the Frente Amplio coalition, the party ruling Uruguay since 2005.

Abortion in Spain is legal upon request up to 14 weeks of pregnancy, and at later stages for serious risk to the health of the woman or fetal defects.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Women in Paraguay</span> Overview of the status of women in Paraguay

Women in Paraguay is a group of women whose rights are challenged in the country of Paraguay. Faced by socioeconomic inequalities and gender pay gap, they experienced significant cultural changes since 1990 as a result of constitutional and legal expansions of women's rights and evolving cultural attitudes. The legal and government institutions currently existing in Paraguay were developed in part through the efforts of feminist organizations in the country that held significant awareness-raising campaigns during the 1990s to formalize the guarantees of women's rights. UN Women supports the Paraguayan State in the challenge to extend women's rights, to fight for gender equality, as well as women's empowerment. It also ensures that women's voices are heard and create more opportunities for women.

Martha Silvana Montaner Formoso was a Uruguayan politician of the Colorado Party.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Beatriz Argimón</span> Uruguayan politician

Beatriz Argimón Cedeira is a Uruguayan politician and notary of the National Party currently serving as the 18th Vice President of Uruguay since 1 March 2020, being the first woman to be elected in that position.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Coalición Multicolor</span> Political party in Uruguay

The Multicolor Coalition is a big tent political coalition formed for the ballotage in Uruguay in 2019.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">49th Legislature of the Chamber of Senators of Uruguay</span>

The Forty-Ninth Legislature of the Chamber of Senators of Uruguay is the session of the upper house of the Uruguayan General Assembly from February 15, 2020 to February 15, 2025, during the Presidency of Luis Alberto Lacalle Pou. It meets in Montevideo. Senators were elected in the 2019 general election in a single constituency.

Esta boca es mía is an Uruguayan daytime talk show broadcast by Teledoce. It debuted on October 6, 2008, being one of the channel's longest-running current programs. It is presented by Victoria Rodríguez and airs Monday through Friday from 2:30 p.m. to 4 p.m.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2020 Uruguayan municipal elections</span>

Uruguay held local government elections on September 27, 2020, to elect the intendente of the 19 departments that are the administrative divisions of Uruguay, as well as 31 councilors; and a mayor and four councilors for each of the municipalities. Across the country, 19 intendants, 589 ediles, 125 mayors and 500 councilors will be elected. This will be the second time that both intendentes and alcaldes are elected simultaneously.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2024 Uruguayan general election</span>

General elections will be held in Uruguay on 27 October 2024. If no presidential candidate receives a majority in the first round of voting, a runoff will take place on Sunday 24 November 2024.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Presidency of Luis Lacalle Pou</span> 42th and current presidential administration of Uruguay, inaugurated in 2020

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Cotidiano Mujer is a Uruguayan feminist collective based in Montevideo. The group's mission is to contribute to promotion of social, cultural, and political change that works towards gender equity and democracy among women in Uruguay and Latin America. It has published a newspaper, as well as books and conference proceedings. The group has also presented a radio show and podcast.

References

  1. 1 2 "Uruguay | quotaProject: Global Database of Quotas for Women". QuotaProject. Retrieved 2017-04-26.
  2. ↑ "Labor force participation rate, female (% of female population ages 15-64) (modeled ILO estimate) | Data". Data.worldbank.org. Retrieved 2017-04-26.
  3. ↑ "Human Development Report 2021/2022" (PDF). HUMAN DEVELOPMENT REPORTS. Retrieved 22 November 2022.
  4. ↑ "Global Gender Gap Report 2022" (PDF). World Economic Forum. Retrieved 22 February 2023.
  5. ↑ "Culture of Uruguay - history, people, clothing, traditions, women, beliefs, food, customs, family". Everyculture.com. 2010-10-09. Retrieved 2017-04-26.
  6. ↑ "Young Uruguayan women aim to boost their role in politics | UN Women". Archived from the original on 2013-05-10. Retrieved 2013-07-01.
  7. ↑ "Uruguay Human Rights | Amnesty International USA". Amnestyusa.org. Retrieved 2017-04-26.
  8. ↑ "Código Penal". Archived from the original on 2015-07-30. Retrieved 2015-06-14.
  9. ↑ "Ley N° 19580".
  10. ↑ "Uruguay no condena el homicidio por adulterio".
  11. ↑ "Violencia doméstica: proponen derogar artículo 36, sobre "pasión provocada por el adulterio"".
  12. ↑ "Nuestro Código exonera homicidio por adulterio". Diario La República.
  13. ↑ Atlas of Gender and Development: How Social Norms Affect Gender Equality in non-OECD Countries. OECD Publishing. 2010-02-22. p. 134. ISBN   978-92-64-07747-8.
  14. ↑ "Ley 17.514". Archived from the original on 2014-12-01. Retrieved 2015-06-14.
  15. ↑ "Muerte de mujeres ocasionada por su pareja o ex-pareja íntima". 11 January 2016.
  16. ↑ "Uruguay legalises abortion". Bbc.com. 17 October 2012.
  17. ↑ "Women in Parliaments: World Classification". Ipu.org. Retrieved 2017-04-26.
  18. 1 2 Sundholm, Mattias (2013-08-25). "Young Uruguayan women aim to boost their role in politics". Office of the Secretary-General’s Envoy on Youth. Retrieved 2023-11-07.
  19. ↑ Johnson, Niki (2018-02-15). Marginalization of Women and Male Privilege in Political Representation in Uruguay. Vol. 1. Oxford University Press. doi:10.1093/oso/9780190851224.003.0010.
  20. ↑ "Beatriz Argimón se convirtió en la primera mujer electa como vicepresidenta en Uruguay". EL PAIS. 2019-11-28. Retrieved 2023-11-07.
  21. ↑ "Authenticity is the key to success, VP of Uruguay tells students". Yale Jackson School of Global Affairs. Retrieved 2023-11-07.
  22. ↑ "Beatriz Argimón se convirtió en la primera mujer electa como vicepresidenta en Uruguay". EL PAIS. 2019-11-28. Retrieved 2023-11-07.
  23. 1 2 Johnson, Niki; Josefsson, Cecilia (2016-03-10). "A New Way of Doing Politics? Cross-Party Women's Caucuses as Critical Actors in Uganda and Uruguay". Parliamentary Affairs. 69 (4): 845–859. doi:10.1093/pa/gsw011. ISSN   0031-2290.
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