AMERICA/COLOMBIA - International Women’s Day: number of unemployed women in Latin America continues to grow, 6.5 million women in cities without jobs, those who do work are only temporarily employed and receive scarce social benefits

Bogota (Fides Service) - Every year in view of international Women’s Day on 8 March the commission for social pastoral of the Colombian Bishops’ Conference organises a campaign to increase awareness of the conditions of women all over Colombia and promote respect and equality for women.
The Campaign theme this year is women’s right to work and equal working conditions, women must not be treated as slaves or impoverished they must be guaranteed equal work opportunities and salaries. The campaign also aims to promote awareness of the value of women’s work at home and outside the home; offer greater opportunities; more collaboration from husbands at home; fair retribution and working hours.
More women are helping with their work the economic growth of the country. However women are not always guaranteed the same rights as men in the world of work.
According to the International Labour Organisation the number of unemployed women in Latin America has grown in recent years. In cities there are 6.5 million women without work, and one third of these are family breadwinners. Those who do work are employed temporarily and with scarce social benefits.
In Colombia the majority of the poor are women and children. Women earn 15% less than men doing the same job and for every unemployed man there are two unemployed women.
The international Women’s Day is a symbol of permanent commitment of women in the history of humanity in their search for equal dignity and role in society. (AP) (6/3/2006 Agenzia Fides; Righe:29; Parole:313)