Paraguay’s women battle to break political glass ceiling in misogynist ‘machista’ culture
- Entering politics in the South American country has been tough for women – only 15 per cent of lawmakers are female, a third below the regional average
- Soledad Nunez, a 40-year-old engineer who became the country’s youngest female minister in 2014, is aiming to be the first ever woman vice-president
In the elections of the South American country Paraguay on Sunday, Soledad Nunez, a 40-year-old engineer and former minister, is looking to break into the country’s male-dominated political arena as its first elected female vice-president.
Paraguay – which has a reputation for misogynist ‘machista’ culture even within the often conservative region – has been tough for women seeking to enter politics. Only 15 per cent of lawmakers are women, below the Latin American regional average of around a third.
At the last election five years ago, only one of the candidates for president or vice-president was a woman. But there are signs of change, with seven female candidates out of 26 this time around.
“Something is shifting, even if slowly,” Nunez said, recalling how when she was a student a university professor had told her engineering class of eight women and over 90 men that ladies should be cleaning the floors and cooking.
“From a young age … I saw very few women in leadership roles, across politics and in industry,” said Nunez, who at 31 became the youngest ever female minister in 2014.
“Having a woman at the top will have consequences”, she said. “Just being there is important because it inspires confidence in others to take part”.
