UPR Sexual Rights Database

National Report:
Para 7) ... Act No. 5446/15 on public policies on behalf of women in rural areas.

Para 8) ... Act No. 4675/12 to upgrade the Secretariat for Women into a Ministry.

Para 67) The Ministry for Women was organized by Act No. 4675/12, which established it as the body responsible for directing, setting standards for and coordinating government policy to promote equal rights and opportunities for men and women and for encouraging full participation by women in politics, the economy, society, culture and civil life within the framework of the third national plan for 2008 to 2017 to provide equal opportunities for men and women.

Para 68) The plan determined three strategic lines of action for poverty reduction based on empowerment and social inclusion: a) design of models for action to incorporate the gender perspective into sectoral public policies and to improve the competitiveness of small-scale producers of stevia-ka'a he'e (Stevia rebaudiana) and to increase its exports, b) a social programme to empower women in peri-urban settlements, c) support for women entrepreneurs on family farms.

Para 69) Act No. 5446/15 on public policies on behalf of rural women underpins efforts to promote the economic, political, social and cultural rights of women living in rural areas for their empowerment and advancement. A total of 2,711 women benefited from the project to encourage women's participation in the labour market in the departments of de San Pedro, Caazapá and Canindeyú and it has been extended to include the departments of Alto Paraguay, Paraguarí and Misiones for the direct benefit of 1,686 women.

Para 70) Steps have been taken to encourage women to stand as candidates for decisionmaking positions as part of the programme to improve women's capacity to participate in politics. Work is also under way to develop an agenda to further the political rights of women, to train women holding elected positions and to raise awareness among men. The legislative branch is examining a bill to amend article 32, paragraph r) of Act No. 834/96, on the Paraguayan Electoral Code in respect of the percentage of women in elected positions.

Para 108) The National Career Development Service (SNPP) has provided training for a total of 1,792 women in the different geographical regions of Paraguay; the highest percentages were in Central (27 per cent) and Itapuá (17 per cent) departments (2014). In the same year, as part of its policy to ensure that at least 50 per cent of its trainees are women, the National Professional Skills and Training System (SINAFOCAL) held six courses for women in rural areas. In 2015, 58 courses are being organized.

National Report:
Para 8) ... Decree No. 10514/13 regulating Act No. 4720/12 by which the National Secretariat for the Human Rights of Persons with Disabilities was set up, and which also set up the National Council on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CONADIS).

National Report:
Para 159) The module for the economic advancement of women, which is coordinated by the Ministry of Labour, Employment and Social Security at the Ciudad Mujer (women’s city) Centre Ñande Kerayvoty Renda and Ciudad Mujer Mobile, facilitates the development of empowerment, skills-building and productive entrepreneurship strategies. In 2020, 44,755 women were provided services by Ciudad Mujer at the Centre itself, and 30,666 services were provided via the mobile mode to 10,856 women in 12 of the country’s departments and 44 of its districts.
Para 161) The strategy Employ Equality contributes to the autonomy and economic empowerment of women. The Ministry of Labour established the Entrepreneurship Training Centre, which offers training, formalization and connections to sources of financing for new businesses with a view to creating a favourable environment for the business plans of young Paraguayan women.
Para 162) The Project for the Integration into the Workforce of Women Entrepreneurs (2016– 2018) involved the establishment of revolving funds and training in entrepreneurship and income-generating projects. Women were given incentives to run for office in the 2021 municipal elections. Fairs, training sessions and competitions were held to encourage the use of information and communication technology and women’s entrepreneurship – a digital literacy programme was also promoted.
Para 165) The Embrace (Abrazo) Programme and Fundación Capital have deployed a strategy to give a boost to women’s income and empowerment through training, business improvement, the establishment of groups of savers and alliances with strategic public and private actors. In 2020, with 256 mothers participating in the Abrazo Programme, 16 groups of savers were set up in centres in Asunción and the departments Central, Cordillera and Misiones.
Para 166) …The country’s lawmakers are considering a bill that would require equal pay for men and women in both the public and the private sectors.
Para 171) In 2016, the Civil Service Secretariat adopted a protocol for intervention and guidelines for responses to discrimination and harassment in the workplace (decision No. 516). In 2018, the Secretariat drafted a protocol for action in cases of workplace violence and a guide to ensuring that internal rules are informed by a gender perspective and the imperatives of non-discrimination and respect (decisions No. 387 and No. 388). In 2019, it set up a permanent commission of inquiry and an office for confidential advice in respect of workplace violence.

Stakeholder Summary:
Para 46) JS1 stated that the youth unemployment rate was twice as high as the overall unemployment rate and three times as high where women were concerned; that youth unemployment mainly affected young persons from lower-income backgrounds; and that steps should be taken to facilitate access to employment for young persons. JS12 reported that there was a high level of non-participation in the labour force among indigenous persons, especially women.
Para 47) JS1 noted that more women than men participated in economic activities on a parttime, flexible or self-employed basis and that the average salary of men was almost double that of women. Steps should therefore be taken to promote the integration of women into the labour market.