Gender equality and diversity in Latin America

#MujeresAtTheTable

In celebration of this year’s International Women’s Day, follow our #MujeresAtTheTable month-long campaign, highlighting women’s leadership and efforts toward gender equality, while also promoting constructive dialogue for some of the most pressing challenges women face daily in the Americas.

Protecting the world’s trans population requires political representation

The 110th International Women’s Day, celebrated this year, hailed the achievements of women. It encouraged people to raise awareness about gender-based issues and call for further action toward gender parity in a post-COVID-19 world. There is one group of women, however, that has been left behind in these conversations: trans women.

The pandemic is a chance to reshape women’s roles in Latin America and the Caribbean

The economic crisis triggered by the pandemic has had unequal consequences across Latin America and the Caribbean, with women disproportionately affected. But the pandemic is an opportunity for the region to reshape women’s roles in the economy, politics, and society.

How the Maduro regime’s intensifying crackdown is harming women

Including women and women’s civil-society groups in peacebuilding efforts is essential to strengthening and advancing a more inclusive and diverse—and, ultimately, successful—approach to rebuilding Venezuela’s democratic institutions.

Our latest event

Online Event Mon, March 8, 2021 • 4:00 pm ET

#MujeresAtTheTable: How women’s leadership can bridge divides

The Honorable Hillary Rodham Clinton and a diverse group of women leaders discuss the impact of women’s representation at the decision-making table. 

Americas Latin America Women

Women's antiviolence demonstration in Mexico

Only with gender equality can we unleash the full potential of the Americas.”
Jason Marczak, Director, Adrienne Arsht Latin America Center, Atlantic Council

Watch our latest Experts of the Americas episode with Ambassador Martha Bárcena, former Ambassador of Mexico to the United States, on women in diplomacy.

In episode 7, Ambassador Martha Bárcena, former Ambassador of Mexico to the United States, sits down for a virtual conversation with Ambassador Capricia Marshall, ambassador-in-residence and vice chair of the Latin America Center’s Advisory Council. They discuss women’s leadership, work-life balance, and the importance of women at the negotiation and decision-making table for strengthening the global order.

Empowering women leaders

Modest, yet visible progress is seen in women’s participation in boards of top companies and inclusion in the policymaking process at the highest echelons of government. That progress must be sustained and expanded.

Women’s Leadership in Latin America

Ground-breaking analysis and concrete recommendations for the public and private sectors – as well as the international community – to empower women across sectors in the region and beyond.

We women must continue encouraging collective action; that will be the key to speed up the progress in achieving a more just and equitable world for women and girls.”
Laura Chinchilla, former president of Costa Rica; member, Adrienne Arsht Latin America Center Advisory Council

#RedDeApoyo: Promoting Women’s Participation and Leadership in Venezuela’s Peacebuilding Efforts

Learn more about our work on venezuela

Corporations owe it to their shareholders to achieve gender parity on their boards.”
Mary Ann Walker, managing partner, WH Legal Group; member, Adrienne Arsht Latin America Center Advisory Council

Advancing women’s socioeconomic development

Equipping women and girls with the skills, resources, and opportunities for socioeconomic prosperity is essential for economic growth in Latin America.

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

Apr 16, 2020

Mind the gap: Reducing gender gaps will foster long-term economic prosperity in Colombia

By Camila Hernandez

Significant lags in women’s economic and political empowerment remain in countries like Colombia. Having closed educational attainment and health and survival gaps almost entirely, the country still faces important gender gaps in economic participation and opportunity (a gap of 26.5 percent) and in political empowerment (a gap of 68.2 percent). If Colombia doubles-down on its efforts to close these gaps, numerous economic and social benefits will follow.

Colombia Economy & Business

Aún cuando estoy orgullosa de los avances de la mujer en mi región del mundo, no podemos simplement celebrar ese progreso, sino debemos ver hacia el horizonte y ver cuanto más debemos esforzarnos para cimentar nuestra complementariedad y lograr equidad total.”
María Eugenia Brizuela de Avila, former minister of foreign affairs, El Salvador; nonresident senior fellow, Adrienne Arsht Latin America Center, Atlantic Council

Latest Content

New Atlanticist

Mar 31, 2021

How the Maduro regime’s intensifying crackdown is harming women

By Cristina Guevara

International Norms Latin America

New Atlanticist

Mar 31, 2021

The pandemic is a chance to reshape women’s roles in Latin America and the Caribbean

By Eva Lardizábal

Coronavirus Economy & Business

New Atlanticist

Mar 23, 2021

Protecting the world’s trans population requires political representation

By Joseph Rojas, Jr.

There is one group of women that has been left behind in conversations about gender-based issues: trans women. Global leaders must change the narrative to advance a trans-inclusive agenda

Human Rights Latin America

New Atlanticist

Mar 3, 2021

The Northern Triangle: The world’s epicenter for gender-based violence

By María Fernanda Bozmoski

While a bill introduced in the US Congress calls upon the secretary of state to implement a new US Strategy for Engagement in Central America that prevents and responds to “endemic levels of sexual, gender-based, and domestic violence” in the region, solutions to gender-based violence must arrive faster than the US legislative process can help advance them.

Human Rights Latin America

New Atlanticist

Dec 10, 2020

Gender equality can accelerate Latin America’s post-COVID-19 recovery: Men and boys must take part

By Valentina Sader, Cristina Guevara

In Latin America and the Caribbean, this year’s Human Rights Day marks a grim trend as COVID-19 sets back decades of progress for women and girls. And without enlisting everyone, including men, in the fight for women’s empowerment, society’s ability to achieve gender equality is limited.

Caribbean Coronavirus