Regional dialogue in Panama calls for bold action to transform social norms preventing women in all their diversity to equally participate in decision-making across Latin America and the Caribbean

^{Intergenerational convening under the WYDE Women’s Leadership initiative brings together leaders, activists, and young women to chart pathways toward parity democracies and inclusive governance. Photo: UN Women/ Jose Daniel Espinosa} 

Panama City, 27–28 November 2025.

“As highlighted by CEDAW General Recommendation No. 40, parity and the full participation of women are the only way to guarantee the exercise of all other rights. It also serves as a safeguard against the discrimination and violence that women face in their daily functions and trajectories in public and political life” affirmed Bibiana Aido, UN Women Regional Director for the Americas and the Caribbean, opening the Regional Intergenerational Dialogue on Women’s Leadership. 

^{Bibiana Aido, UN Women Regional Director for the Americas and the Caribbean. Photo: UN Women/Rodrigo Herrera} 

Echoing this call, Marcela Ríos Tobar, Regional Director for Latin America and the Caribbean at International IDEA, emphasized: “Effective parity has helped improve democracies in Latin America. Moving toward balanced representation between women and men in politics is an effective mechanism to strengthen the connection and legitimacy of institutions and to make equality a reality as a pillar of democracy.”

Referring to the European Union’s shared values, Minister Councillor Jesús Moreno Díaz from the Delegation of the European Union to Panama affirmed: “Gender equality is a fundamental pillar of democracy, peace and prosperity. In particular, equal participation in decision-making not only provides a balance that strengthens democracy and promotes its proper functioning, but also reflects in a more accurate way the composition of society, including the interests of women”. 

A milestone moment for gender equality 

Held against the backdrop of the 30th anniversary of the Beijing Platform for Action and the adoption of CEDAW General Recommendation No. 40, the regional intergenerational dialogue brought together over 35 participants from 19 countries across Latin America and the Caribbean, including parliamentarians, ministers, local authorities, youth leaders, activists, experts and journalists. The convening, organized by UN Women under the WYDE | Women’s Leadership initiative funded by the European Union and implemented in partnership with International IDEA, IPU, and UCLG, marked the 7^th regional dialogue of a series organized by UN Women and International IDEA, fostering intergenerational exchange.

Despite progress in the region, driven by quota and parity laws adopted in 18 countries, women hold 35.8% of seats in national legislatures. However, representation remains uneven, particularly at local levels and among marginalized groups. Persistent structural barriers, violence against women in politics, and democratic backsliding underscore the urgency of advancing transformative strategies to achieve parity and inclusive governance. As emphasized by Yamila Gonzalez Ferrer from Cuba, Expert of the CEDAW Committee, "Equal and inclusive representation of women in decision-making spaces is an opportunity to eradicate gender stereotypes that sustain discrimination and to strengthen their role in transforming society. CEDAW General Recommendation No. 40 and the forthcoming General Recommendation No. 41 provide us with useful tools to address these challenges". 

Voices from the dialogue: building inclusive democracies 

Throughout two days of panels and breakout sessions, participants shared experiences and strategies to dismantle structural inequalities and challenge discriminatory social norms.

Fabiola Campillai, Senator of the Republic of Chile, reflected on the historical exclusion of women and the transformative power of leadership: “Historically, women have been displaced. Today, we are leaders and authorities with the power to change the lives of millions. We embody the recognition of hundreds of anonymous women who have sustained families and entire countries. In an adverse context, these spaces strengthen us”. 

^{Fabiola Campillai, Senator from Chile. Photo: UN Women/ Jose Daniel Espinosa}

Ashley Lashley, Executive Director of the Ashley Lashley Foundation in Barbados, emphasized the critical role of young women in shaping democratic systems: “We cannot talk about democracy without the full leadership of young women. From the Caribbean to Latin America, we are demanding systems that protect our rights, reflect our realities, and share power equally”. 

^{Ashley Lashley (Founder of Ashley Lashley Foundation, Barbados) and Indranie Chandarpal (former member of Parliament, Guyana) engaging in intergenerational exchanges in the sidelines of the convening. Photo: UN Women/ Jose Daniel Espinosa.} 

For Amanda Paschoal, Councilwoman in São Paulo, Brazil, representation is about rewriting narratives: “As a trans and young woman who entered politics as one of the most voted local parliamentarian in my country, I believe in a democracy where stories like mine are not unique in decision-making spaces. At this meeting, I want to build a true network of people and experiences to create a fairer, more diverse, and sustainable future”.

Grace Jimenez Riofrio, expert on political communication from Ecuador, also highlighted the importance of narratives: “It’s about bringing politics back to its core, with a narrative that places the rights of women and girls at the centre of all public policy. We must reclaim women and diversity’s rights as a cause for life”. 

^{Virginia Cáceres (Deputy Secretary of the House of Representatives, Uruguay), Manuel Siccha (lawyer and feminist activist, Peru), Sara Armella Rueda (Mayor and President of ACOBOL), Amanda Paschoal (Councilwoman Municipality of São Paulo, Brazil). Photo: UN Women/ Jose Daniel Espinosa}

The sessions highlighted several critical strategies to advance women’s equal participation in decision-making. First, participants emphasized the importance of strengthening parity and institutional architecture through the adoption and enforcement of quota laws and gender equality frameworks. These measures have proven essential for expanding women’s representation and consolidating parity democracies across the region.  “Parity is not an end goal; it is a tool to redesign political, social, and cultural structures. Every step forward brings us closer to more just democracies” pointed out Rita Bell López Vences, President of the Gender and Non-Discrimination Commission of the National Electoral Institute of Mexico. 

^{Rita Bell Lopez Vences, President of the Gender and Non-Discrimination Commission of Mexico’s National Electoral Institute. Photo: Jose Daniel Espinosa/UN Women} 

Discussions also focused on intersectionality and inclusion. "The absence of women, their demands, agendas, and rights, in decision-making spaces prevents the transformation of structural conditions that perpetuate inequality, a situation of even greater exclusion for Indigenous, rural, and Afro-descendant women, as well as young women, migrants, women with disabilities, and LGBTIQ+ persons, among others" stated Cecilia Alemany, UN Women Deputy Regional Director, during her participation in the dialogue. Addressing these challenges requires targeted policies and affirmative measures that ensure diversity and representation in all spheres of public life. 

^{Cecilia Alemany, UN Women Deputy Regional Director for the Americas and the Caribbean. Photo: UN Women/Rodrigo Herrera.} 

Another key theme was the transformation of social norms. Participants underscored the need to leverage communication and technology to challenge stereotypes and discriminatory narratives that perpetuate exclusion. Innovative campaigns and digital strategies were identified as powerful tools to shift mindsets and promote gender equality. Language and communication emerged as powerful tools for change. “Transforming social norms requires naming what makes us uncomfortable. Language and communication are tools of power, and if we do not use them to question inequalities, they end up reinforcing them” noted Virginia Cáceres Batalla, Deputy Secretary of the House of Representatives, Uruguay.

Finally, the dialogue, held in the context of the 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence, examined strategies to prevent and respond to violence against women in politics. Strengthening laws, protocols, and accountability mechanisms emerged as urgent priorities to guarantee women’s right to participate in political and public life free from violence and intimidation.  “Strengthening the political leadership of women in all their diversity, and particularly young women, requires strong alliances, real coordination, and a determined commitment to dismantle the violence and inequalities that limit their participation in decision-making” stressed Lía Zevallos Malásquez, young leader from Peru.

As the region marks Beijing’s 30th anniversary in 2025, participants reaffirmed their commitment to parity democracy and inclusive governance. The dialogue concluded with a call to strengthen coalitions, amplify young women’s leadership, and confront resistance to gender equality. “I come from a rural municipality where being a young woman in politics still means resisting. My voice here shows that the legacy of Beijing opens paths, but also that equality must become a reality in every territory. No woman should have to resist to lead: we must build this legacy” said Yuliana García Mesa, Councilwoman from Huila, Colombia. 

^{Yuliana García Mesa, Councilwoman for the Municipality of Huila, Colombia. Photo: UN Women/Jose Daniel Espinosa.} 

UN Women and partners will continue working with governments, civil society, and youth networks to advance women’s full and equal participation in decision-making, because, as CEDAW General Recommendation No. 40 reminds us, parity is not optional; it is the foundation of human rights and democracy. 

WYDE | Women’s Leadership, funded by the European Union, is a collaborative global effort aimed at advancing women’s full and effective political participation and decision-making at all levels, especially those most often left furthest behind. WYDE | Women’s Leadership is implemented by UN Women, the International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance (International IDEA), the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) and United Cities and Local Governments (UCLG), and is part of the Women and Youth Democratic Engagement initiative (WYDE), powered by the European Union, which seeks to empower and strengthen the rights, and participation in public and political life of women and youth as key actors of development and change.