The Executive Director of UN Women meets representatives of civil society before concluding her visit to Peru

On 16 October, Michelle Bachelet, Executive Director of UN Women, took part in an international conference on social inclusion entitled “Power: Women as Drivers of Growth and Social Inclusion at the start of her two-day visit to Lima, Peru. She was joined by the President of Peru, Ollanta Humala, and the US Secretary of State, Hillary Clinton.

During her speech, Ms. Bachelet stressed that, despite evidence that greater gender equality positively correlates with a higher GDP per capita and that women's participation in the workforce has a multiplier effect on society, women still do not enjoy the same conditions and opportunities as men in the workplace. This leads to a slowdown not only in economic growth, but also in the advancement of women's rights, and therefore affects a country's development.

The visit included a ceremony in the Municipality of Lima, one of the most populated cities in Latin America and the Caribbean, and one of the few cities in the continent that is now, for the first time, governed by a democratically elected woman. The mayor, Susana Villarán, welcomed Ms. Bachelet as a distinguished guest.

Ms. Bachelet recognized the progress made in Lima as it strives to become “a city for all women and all men, by promoting the principle of inclusion and the elimination of all forms of discrimination. She pointed out that UN Women is helping to make this concept a reality, and to develop effective strategies that reduce violence, poverty and inequality in the city. She highlighted the 2012 Regional Plan for Citizen Safety and Social Co-existence in Lima, with its focus on gender specifically in its outlook on women, their needs, demands, risks and potential.

UN Women has financially supported the implementation of a project that seeks to formulate policies and actions to combat violence against women in Lima, by means of a Trust Fund for the Elimination of Violence against Women.

Later, Michelle Bachelet visited the Cayetano Heredia University, where she was awarded an honorary doctorate by the rector, Dr. Fabiola León Velarde. On receiving this recognition, Ms. Bachelet explained how much the degree meant to her, stating that the current university management has put great emphasis on its role as a strategic partner for development. This intention is clearly expressed through the university's research and scientific publications, as well as study programmes focusing on skills development, teamwork, freedom of thought and expression, the rejection of violence, and the stimulation of initiative, creativity and innovation.

The Executive Director of UN Women ended the first day of her visit with a bilateral meeting with the President of Peru, Ollanta Humala.

During the second day of the visit to Lima, Ms. Bachelet met members of UN agencies in Peru, female members of the Congress of the Republic, representatives of civil society organisations, and women who have benefited from projects implemented by UN Women in Peru.

One of the UN Women projects that is being implemented in Peru is the joint work plan with the International Labour Organisation (ILO) to reinforce basic organisations and the potential for incidence of female domestic workers. Another project involves establishing political proposals for indigenous Andean and Amazonian women in order to improve the effectiveness of judicial services, and yet another programme concerns gender-sensitive budgeting.

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Highlights of the official mission to Peru by UN Women Executive Director Michelle Bachelet

UN Women Executive Director Michelle Bachelet made an official visit to Peru from 16 - 17 October, 2012. See photos of her visit, watch or read her speech, and find out more about projects to end violence against women in Lima, Peru.

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