This Saturday, more than 100 women from Chile, Peru and Bolivia gathered in the city of Arica to participate in the Binational Meeting of Women for the Elimination of Violence, a key event for the exchange of experiences, strengthening of ties and the promotion of gender equality in the region. The initiative, organized by the Seremi de la Mujer y la Equidad de Género de Arica, the Regional Government of Arica and Parinacota and the Regional Government of Tacna, is part of the Cooperation Agreement between both territories to eradicate violence against women.
Funded by the Chilean Agency for International Development Cooperation (AGCID), this meeting also responds to the commitments of the Social and Gender Subcommittee of the Chile-Peru Binational Committee, promoting active collaboration between the two countries to improve the situation of women in the region.
The event included a keynote speech by the distinguished academic Dr. Kemy Oyarzún, who gave her views on the challenges of gender violence in the regional context. In addition, four key issues were addressed: gender violence, economic autonomy, political participation and sexual and reproductive rights.
“We are very pleased with the great turnout and the commitment of all the women present. This meeting has allowed us to come together, share knowledge and experiences, and reaffirm our vision of a future free of violence. It has been an opportunity to strengthen the autonomy of women, improve their quality of life and provide them with tools for their empowerment, promoting an integral wellbeing that includes physical, economic and political autonomy,” said the Seremi of Women and Gender Equity, María Isabel Cid Figueroa.
The event brought together representatives of various institutions from Chile, Peru and Bolivia, together with regional authorities, members of the Peruvian and Bolivian consulates in Arica, and officials from the Peruvian Ministry of Women and Vulnerable Populations, among other key actors. It also counted with the active participation of social organizations, which allowed strengthening support networks and making visible the common problems and challenges faced by women in the region.
“This meeting marks a decisive step towards the construction of a more equitable and violence-free region, reaffirming the importance of international cooperation and joint work between countries to advance the fight for women’s rights,” concluded Seremi (s) Cid.