By Mueve AL on January 16, 2025
“Let’s go with everyone!” photo: Bill Hackwell
Gender equality is a right and a principle, and achieving it has been a priority for developing nations in recent decades since it is the only possible way to achieve structural transformations and build equitable, just and peaceful societies. Feminist struggles in Latin America brought to debate the need to implement gender-based policies that protect women and girls from the deep-rooted patriarchal violence inherited from centuries of colonial domination. Venezuela has been an active part of this revolution.
Since the rise of the Bolivarian revolution, Venezuela has taken significant strides in advancing gender equality, driven by policies that aim to reshape the patriarchal structures inherent in capitalist and individualistic models. Commander Hugo Chavez, a self-identified feminist, implemented policies supporting women, which are now upheld, updated, and renewed by President Nicolas Maduro as part of the country’s ongoing efforts to challenge entrenched gender norms.
The 1999 Constitution: A Blueprint for Gender Equality
The Constitution of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela, adopted in 1999 and reformed in 2009, laid the foundation for an inclusive society with an emphasis on gender equality. It incorporated non-sexist, inclusive language and affirmed the State’s responsibility to protect the human rights of all citizens, regardless of race, sex, creed, or social standing. Specifically, Article 21 mandates the implementation of policies that empower historically marginalized groups, such as women.
Article 75 further promotes gender equity by establishing that family relations should be based on equality, solidarity, and mutual respect, with the State ensuring protection for all family heads, whether mothers, fathers, or other caregivers.
Institutionalizing Gender Equality
Venezuela’s commitment to gender equality is reflected in a series of institutional initiatives. Starting with the Law of Equal Opportunities for Women in 1993, followed by the creation of key bodies such as the National Women’s Council (1993), the National Women’s Institute (InaMujer) in 1999, and the Women’s Development Bank (BanMujer) in 2001, Venezuela has steadily built a robust institutional framework for women’s rights.
In 2009, the Ministry of People’s Power for Women and Gender Equality (MinMujer) was established, following the creation of the Office of the Minister of State for Women’s Affairs a year earlier. MinMujer has since focused on four core areas: promoting a Socialist Productive Economic Model with a gender perspective, advancing political participation and organization for women, fostering gender-sensitive training, and protecting women’s rights.
Key Legislative Achievements
Venezuela has enacted several important laws aimed at promoting gender equality and protecting women’s rights. These include the Law on Equal Opportunities for Women (1993), the Optional Protocol to the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Violence (2000), and the Protocol to Prevent and Suppress Trafficking of Women and Girls (2001).
A landmark development was the reform of the Organic Law on the Right of Women to a Life Free of Violence, which was published on November 25, 2014. This law introduced important changes, including the introduction of femicide and incitement to suicide as criminal offenses. These changes position domestic violence as a public health issue with far-reaching social implications. Since the law’s reform, gender justice has been furthered through specialized courts and a national network of prosecutors and judges trained in gender-sensitive practices.
Plans and Programs for Gender Equality
Venezuela’s comprehensive approach to gender equality is further exemplified by its Gender Equality Plans, which since 2004 have prioritized economic, political, social, cultural, and spatial dimensions. The Plan for the Homeland 2025 continues this work, outlining policies focused on fighting patriarchal domination, eradicating gender-based violence, building a socialist economy, ensuring the comprehensive protection of women, and advancing gender mainstreaming within the public sector.
Additionally, the “Mama Rosa, Venezuelan Woman” Plan (2013-2019) was aimed to tackle poverty and social inequality, celebrating women’s multifaceted roles in society. This was followed by the Simon Bolivar National Project, which remains active, emphasizing the empowerment of all women and girls.
Combating Gender-Based Violence
Venezuela has taken significant steps to address gender-based violence, recognizing it as a national issue with widespread social consequences. The reform of the Organic Law on the Right of Women to a Life Free of Violence (2014) created legal mechanisms to address violence and hold perpetrators accountable. Judges and public officials across the country receive gender sensitivity training, and specialized courts ensure women have access to justice.
The establishment of 73 prosecutors nationwide, along with gender-focused legal reforms, has made it possible for women who suffer from violence to seek justice through a legal framework that takes their experiences into account.
The Struggle Continues
Much remains to be done. Despite progress, it is still a challenge to propose actions to untie the structural knots of inequality.
For researcher Maria De Jesus Urbina Gutierrez, of the Territorial Polytechnic University of Puerto Cabello, Venezuela, “there will be no reduction of gaps and inequalities until the tradition imposed since colonial times is set aside along with the principles that exclude the majority and benefit a minority”.
The researcher also stresses that, to conclude, social movements made up of women are not homogeneous and there is still a need to explain that the definition of women is not homogeneous either.
“Not all women in Venezuela are heterosexual, or want to be mothers, or professionals in the service area, or housewives. Despite the demands and recognition of the needs of a group of women, there are others who are still excluded and unprotected by these policies for not playing the role that has been socially attributed to them,” she added.
Overall Achievements
Venezuela has made notable strides in gender equality across various sectors:
According to the United Nations Development Program (UNDP), Venezuela leads in gender equality, with high levels of achievement in the Human Development Index (HDI) for both women and men. Women’s education levels are nearly on par with men, and more than 65% of women over 25 have completed secondary or higher education.
Source: Resumen Latinoamericano – English