UN Committee on Women's Rights raises concerns about the situation of women in Chile

Ahead of its 8th periodic report on Chile, the UN Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW) has asked the Chilean government to provide information on the measures it has taken to close the gender gap and realise women's economic, social and cultural rights in the triple context of the COVID-19 pandemic, the new Constitution process, and climate change. This list of issues and questions echoes a series of concerns raised by Chilean and international civil society organisations, including GI-ESCR.

 The Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women presented its list of issues and questions (LOIPR) to Chile, reflecting many of the concerns that Chilean and international organisations (Corporación Humanas, Agrupación Lésbica Rompiendo el Silencio, CEM, Colectivo Sin Fronteras, CIMUNIDIS, Corporación Opción, Casa Memoria José Domingo Cañas, LEASUR, MAM, OCAC, OVIC, ABOFEM, Corporación Miles Chile, La Morada, Global Initiative for Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (GI-ESCR) and Tax Justice Network) highlighted in their joint alternative report. 

 Regarding the impact of the pandemic, CEDAW called on the Chilean State to report on the measures it has taken to address gender gaps and place women at the centre of the post-COVID recovery strategy, in line with the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals.

 With regard to women's economic, social and cultural rights, the Committee addresses the issues of education, employment and women's empowerment. With regard to education, Chile is invited to explain the measures taken to address the inequalities in access to this right - highlighted in previous reports - in particular for women and girls with disabilities, migrants, refugees and persons belonging to indigenous peoples and ethnic minorities. With regard to health, the document requests information on the measures adopted by the State to extend the decriminalisation of abortion, to guarantee access to contraceptives, especially during the pandemic, and to access medical services and psychological support in the event of abortion. Regarding employment, Chile is invited to report on measures taken to reduce the gender gap in pensions.

 Furthermore, in the context of climate change, the Committee also asks the Chilean State to describe the measures taken to ensure that policies and programmes related to climate change, agriculture, energy and the environment include a gender perspective in their design and implementation - including those related to large-scale agro-industrial and development projects, which tend to negatively and disproportionately affect girls and women.

 CEDAW's list of issues to the Chilean state will form the basis for the review of Chile's compliance with its obligations under CEDAW, which is expected to take place in Geneva in late 2021.