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 21) The adoption of a law prohibiting all forms of discrimination is a pending challenge, but by constitutional mandate (art. 46), action is being taken to remove obstacles and to address the causes of discrimination – discrimination against members of the lesbian, gay, transgender, bisexual and intersex community population is an issue being discussed by both politicians and members of the public at large.

National Report:
Para 168) The second National Plan to Combat Violence against Women (2015–2020)143 was adopted by Decree No. 5140/16, which also established the Inter-Agency Board for the Prevention of Violence against Women. Eighteen agencies from the three branches of government, as well as civil society organizations, are represented on the Board; it is coordinated by the Ministry for Women, which is the advisory body for implementation of Act No. 5777/2016. The implementing regulations were adopted in 2019.