Women Increase in Power in Latin America

In spite of vestiges of a patriarchal social structures and cultures of machismo, women are leading three of Latin America’s most important countries – Brazil, Argentina and Chile.

Needless to say, the most famous woman in Latin American politics was Argentina’s Eva Perón, who never held office, but whose memory still has power. Since 1970, eight women have been elected head of state from Latin America and the Caribbean, including Central America (Costa Rica, Nicaragua, and Panama) and women also hold about 20 percent of the continent’s legislative seats. Women were highlighted at the recent OAS meeting. Jamaican Prime Minister Portia Simpson-Miller (locally called Sista P) welcomed President Obama to a high-profile meeting in Kingston before the OAS – Summit of the Americas in Panama. Women are leading the OAS as permanent representatives of their countries of Suriname, Niermala Badrising; and the St. Vincent and the Grenadines, La Celia Prince.

See:
Diplomatic Courier: Latin America’s leading ladies
Washington Post: Political exclusion lingers for women in Latin America