11
Gender, Democracy and Inequality in Latin America
Abstract Submissions Closed
Language: English and Spanish
Session Type: Oral
Invited Session
The contributions of Chicana and Black feminists, questioning the complexity
of gender relations and proposing intersectionality, have advanced the
understanding of the dynamics of gender inequalities. The social processes
that the countries of Latin America are experiencing in the second decade of
the 21st century imply processes of reconfiguration of a new political
scenario in the region, framed in the global crisis of capitalism and in the neoconservative
offensive, which implies a regression of the advances that have
been made in social policy, such as gender equality and racial justice.
In the global context, this crisis is manifest in the strengthening of neoliberal hegemony, but also to the strengthening of ultra-right groups and even ultra-right, xenophobic and nationalist political parties.
This setback in rights aggravates or increases inequality in one of the
most unequal regions of the world—Latin America. Nationalist politics
weakens democracies. This is why social
protest is criminalized, social expenditures are being cut, and precarious
employment grows, among other problems.
On the other hand, it is necessary to highlight the emergence of new
spaces that promote participation and social integration, the struggles of
different feminisms and the strong participation in these movements of
young people and dissident identities, as well the implementation of public
policies of different types: affirmative, distributive and welfare. The scope of
the social is widened, which seeks to promote new rights, and new
approaches are conceived that give foundation to social policies and actions.