Chile | Gender in Infrastructure

Legal Framework and Institutional Mechanisms

Convention on the Elimination of All forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW). Ratification in 1989. Signature of the Optional Protocol in 1999. Main reference document for equality between men and women. Through its ratification or accession to it the States are legally bound to adopt all necessary measures, including special temporary measures and laws, in order for women to fully enjoy all their human rights and fundamental freedoms.
Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action (1995). The signatory countries take responsibility for the implementation of the Platform for Action, in which 12 critical areas of concern for the advancement of women are defined.
Chile's Political Constitution (1980) and reforms. Equal before the law. In Chile there are no privileged groups or individuals. In Chile there are no slaves and whoever sets foot on national territory is therefore set free. Men and women are equal before the law.
Women and Gender Equality Ministry (2016). It watches over coordination, consistency and coherence among policies, plans and programs related to gender equality; same policies, plans and programs which are to be transversally incorporated into the State's actions.
National Women and Gender Equality Service (1991). It is the body in charge of the execution of policies, plans and programs entrusted to it by the Women and Gender Equality Ministry. It comprises diverse programs within various areas such as Women and Work, Violence Against Women, "Buen Vivir" of Sexuality and Reproduction, and Women, Citizenship and Participation.

Equal opportunities

Plan for Equality of Opportunity between Men and Women 2011-2020. It defines 4 principles and 6 strategic axes for its implementation, while providing guidance for State policies and actions in order to guarantee equality between men and women.

Personal and labor conciliation

Act 20.545 (2011).Maternity leave is extended from 12 to 24 or even 30 weeks, should a woman choose partial or "part-time" parental postnatal leave, thus been granted a subsidy during said time. Through this act an inalienable right for working women is established; right which allows them to combine work and maternity. Likewise, based on the principle of co-responsibility, it establishes the possibility of ceding part of the postnatal parental leave to the father. This benefit is extended to women holding seasonal or temporary jobs.
Act 20.482 (2010). It determines a five-day paidpaternal leave.
Co-responsibility in care activities.
Act 20.764 (2014). It guarantees equal rights for both parents and enables an adequate distribution of family responsibilities. Parents shall be able to leave their workplace for an hour a day in order to feed their children – up to the age of two.

Violence due to gender

Act 20.066 (2010). It establishes femicide, increasing applicable penalties for this crime, and amends laws concerning parricide.
Act 20.607 (2012). It sanctions harassment-in-the-workplace practices.

Legal Framework and Institutional Mechanisms

Equal opportunities

Personal and labor conciliation

Violence due to gender

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