How to increase gender equality in Latin America

To mark International Women’s Day, Canning House hosted an event discussing gender inequality in Latin America with Valentina Patrini, a Social Policy Analyst at the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development.

The presentation focused primarily on labour statistics to understand economic gender inequality. The data demonstrates that women work more and earn less across the region. Female participation in the labour market is notably lower, and the participation gap between men and women is higher in Latin America than in other OECD countries. Furthermore, women disproportionately participate in the informal market, which leaves them without the typical social protection mechanisms, such as pensions and health insurance. Likewise, women carry out more unpaid work, particularly in care, than men.

Gender socialisation that affects these trends begins at an early age: across OECD member states, girls perform worse in maths and science from an early age, and boys drop out of education at a greater rate. A key policy recommendation from the conversation was the need to provide formal care systems for young children and the elderly. This ensures more equal treatment of genders in education, and relieves a burden on working-age women who, particularly in Latin America, are expected to carry out duties of care.

The conversation highlighted further policy options in the labour market. The majority of OECD countries require private companies to report on their gender pay gaps. Latin America has not adopted such measures on a large scale, allowing silent discrimination to remain. The discussion highlighted female exclusion from financial systems as a further driver of inequality. Patrini stressed that cultural change in gender roles can take a long time to materialise. However, Latin American economies will grow the most if greater gender equality is achieved.

Canning House extends its thanks to Valentina Patrini for her valuable insights and to those around the table for an enriching conversation on this important matter.