Women in the Americas: Paths to Political Power

8:30 A.M.

Breakfast

9:00-9:30 A.M.

Welcoming Remarks

Speakers: 

Alicia Ritchie, Inter-American Development Bank

Peter Hakim, Inter-American Dialogue

Mary G. Wilson, League of Women Voters of the United States

Carmen Marina Gutiérrez, OAS Summits of the Americas Secretariat

9:30-11:00 a.m.

Session I – Why have women made such dramatic gains in achieving political power now? What are the enabling factors and obstacles, such as quota laws, public opinion, women’s agencies, political parties, race and ethnicity?

Moderator:

Anel Townsend, Peru                                                                         

Lead-off Speakers:

Epsy Campbell, Costa Rica

Nemecia Achacollo Tola, Bolivia

11:00-11:15 a.m.

Coffee Break

11:15-1:00 p.m. 

Session II – How have women leaders affected democratic practice and policy outcomes? What strategies have been effective, such as alliances with women’s movements, use of public opinion polls and the media?

Moderator: 

Judith Morrison, Inter-American Foundation

Lead-off Speakers: 

Dayana Martínez Burke, Honduras

Marta Lucía Ramírez, Colombia

Olga Ferreira de López, Paraguay                                                  

 1:00-2:30 p.m.

Luncheon discussion: What policy and institutional changes should be enacted to promote more women into power? How can women leaders become more effective advocates for women’s rights?

Moderator:

 María Antonieta Saa, Chile

3:30-5:00 p.m.

Roundtable with Women Political Leaders from Latin America and the Caribbean

A discussion among women political leaders from Latin America and the Caribbean, journalists, and the audience on issues of priority importance being promoted by women leaders today, strategies employed by women political leaders to achieve these goals and personal trajectories of women who have achieved political power.

Moderator:

Close: