Latin America: 4 women who sweep in politics

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Who said that high positions in politics were reserved only for men? In LatinAmerican Post we show you the most influential women in the region

On the occasion of International Women's Day, and whose motto proposed by the UN is women, "Think equal, build smart, innovate for change", from LatinAmerican Post we present you 4 women who influence Latin American politics.

Leer en español: América Latina: 4 mujeres que arrasan en la política

1. Michelle Bachelet

The High Commissioner of the United Nations for Human Rights has a long history of achievements in her professional life. She was the first women defense minister of Chile and of all Latin America, she was the first woman to be elected as president of her country. As if that were not enough, Bachelet was again elected to govern Chile between 2014-2018.

Since that moment, she works in the UN in the aforementioned position. However, Bachelet not only advocates for human rights but she has also been recognized for the struggle for gender equality in her country.

In a recent interview with EFE, she said that "in my first government, and before, when I was a minister, I decided to make women visible. I put together cabinets, (…) I tried to have quotas in law so that more women would be elected (in Congress) and I appointed more women in company directories. All this because, to have feminine references in a society that discriminates makes it very difficult for women to reach the top".

2. Epsy Campbell

Campbell is the first woman of African descent to occupy the position of vice president in Costa Rica. She came to office in 2018, and as previously mentioned , "is an economist and political scientist who has served as a consultant and international speaker on employment, gender, human rights, social development, afro-descendant and indigenous peoples and racism."

During her time as vice president, she has reiterated the importance of women not only in the political sphere, but also in the economic sphere. In the middle of the II High Level Meeting: The contribution of women to the 2030 Agenda, the vice president affirmed that, "we must generate alliances, more and more, with all those who understand that society wins as a whole when women they incorporate the economy, because there is greater growth and well-being, more and better opportunities, we fulfill the development goals and we reduce poverty ", according to Prensa Latina.

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3. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez

Chosen as the youngest woman in the American Congress, she is a New Yorker of Puerto Rican descent who stands out for her continuous struggle in a field dominated by men. According to EFE, Ocasio "has become a global icon: comic heroine, his social networks are followed by millions of people and his particular style is imitated endlessly".

In her speech at the last March of Women, in January, she revolutionized the thousands of demonstrators when speaking about justice and the role of women in politics: "Last year we brought power to the polls, and this year we must ensure that we translate that power into politics (…) we have just captured the Chamber, and now we are going to show what we are going to do with it ".

Also, for Christian Tamte, a militant of the Democratic Party, Ocasio is the candidate of the future. In an interview with CNN, Tamte said that "she is the candidate of the future. And she has also done excellent as a woman in a field dominated by men. (…) This is how women in fields dominated by men have to work all the time. She is the candidate of the future. Get ready for her because she's coming".

4. María Fernanda Espinosa

After 70 years, a Latin American woman managed to be the president of the UN General Assembly. The Ecuadorian, diplomat, writer and scientist, will last a year in office, which began from September 2018.

As France24 states, "Since its arrival, the UN has set a seven-point agenda in which gender equality is found". As highlighted by the official UN website, for 2019, "Espinosa pledged to continue working on this specific point in the General Assembly, starting with his office, where it is already a reality."

It is hoped that within the framework of the 63rd edition of the Commission on the Status of Women of the UN, a "high-level meeting dedicated to the promotion of women's leadership will be held (…) This event will serve to share experiences and learn from the successes obtained in the advances of female leadership ", according to this organization. Through his Twitter account, Espinosa confirmed the participation of 5 of the 10 women who are currently presidents.

LatinAmerican Post | Laura Viviana Guevara Muñoz

Translated from "América Latina: 4 mujeres que arrasanen la política"