Chile - Reconciling the Gender Paradox

Abstract

In this note, the authors explain that although Chile has made considerable progress in its efforts to reduce poverty, sustain growth, and promote democratization during the last decade, these advances, unusually, have been coupled with notable achievements in gender equality. Through the analysis conducted in the Country Gender Assessment for Chile, there has been greater clarity about why Chile has faced these contradictions. The paper concludes that with the presidency of Michelle Bachelet, the first woman president in Chile, conditions are ripe to expand upon the steady progress made thus far to narrow the gender gap. Women's participation in the labor force, and the consequent greater potential for economic development and poverty alleviation, has not been fully exploited. Much progress continues to be made to expand women's contributions to their country and economy, as well as their families.