Melissa Coleman

GWS 220W

Adrianne Brown

February 4^th, 2012

Women in Peru

            Peru, the third largest country in South America divides itself into diverse geographical regions. In terms of food, travel, and economic status, the urban and rural areas determine the means of living for Peru’s societies. A majority of the population prefers to reside in the urban setting. The benefit to living in this region on average is a higher income, easier access to education, and other amenities such as electricity. From a rural community, indigenous people face more challenges as the Andes Mountains serve as a barrier to these privileges. For Peruvian women the country provides different aspects of opportunities and restrictions. On a daily basis Peruvian women are not exposed to equal rights in their relationships, reproductive rights, and employment.

            Violence against women has been an ongoing issue in the history of Peru. According to the United Nations, domestic violence is defined as “the use of force or threats of force by a husband or boyfriend for the purpose of coercing and intimidating a woman into submission”.  In 1993, the country adopted the “Law for Protection from Family Violence” but the legal system could not break down the reality of abuse. In accordance to a law in 2002, there is a punishment for rape and local authorities must enforce these policies (Monroe). Despite the government’s efforts to prevent violence against women, the rates of violence still remain high.  Currently, just under half of the women reported being a victim of a form of domestic abuse by their intimate partners. It was noted that the most common form of abuse in a relationship was psychological (Monroe). No matter the act, men’s violence against women should not be an issue as the governing document of Peru states equality for both men and women.

                        Poverty plays an important part in shifting women’s work from inside to outside the home. With 29,459,5177 million people in Peru, there is 40% of the population that falls into the category of poverty (Peru). The reality is that women need to contribute financially but cannot if there is no care available for the young children. In 2007, the International Labour Office reported informal employment among women at 73.8% in Peru (Sinha). This type of labor includes serving in kitchens, working in the street vendors, and picking coffee beans in the fields. Traditionally, Peruvian women have domestic roles of being the caretaker for the household with the expectations to prepare meals, clean, and give care to the children or elderly. Now girls, as young as 9 years old, fulfill these duties instead of attending school for an opportunity of an education (Global Giving 2011). If the younger generation can stay home, the adult women can seek forms of employment elsewhere to better provide for their family.

            On the subject of reproductive rights, a woman should be entitled to making decisions involving her own body. In Peru, marriage is legal at the age of 16, conception follows soon after around 20 years old, and reproduction is at a rate of 2.78 children per year (CIA 2012). From a male perspective, pregnancy is viewed as proof of masculinity and female loyalty. Other cultural aspects influence relationships as men view using contraceptives as a sign of an “unfaithful wife” (Boesten 93). With this being stated the statistics point to men for the spreading of 97 percent of the Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) which is transmitted through sexual contact. HIV cases in women are on the rise with the highest risk for those in prime reproductive years from 20-39 years of age. In addition, the stigma of HIV refers to the woman infected as a failure to have upheld her traditional gender roles (Simoni). It is time for the women to be able to become educated on the topic, take control of their sexual health, and disregard the male opinion.

            Another factor related to reproductive health of females in Peru can be addressed by government family planning services. In the early 1990’s, the Ministry of Health clinics charged fees for the services but rural areas received family planning for free. By the year 1995, a main focus was contraceptive use so a policy was enacted to provide free family planning to all Peruvians in need of the services. Now, donors to the Ministry of Health were responsible for funding this program and providing the contraceptive products along with staff for the clinics. As the years progressed, government officials began to debate against this idea; donors reduced their contraceptive contributions, and once again put in place product fees (Menotti 177). Currently, the government is attempting to address the issue by implementing conditional cash transfers and social insurance programs for those who meet the requirements (Menotti 180). The contraceptive battle is a work in progress and is needed to enhance reproductive health for the Peruvian women.

            From cooks to political activists, women in Peru are making decisions to better the community as a whole. In the city of Lima, women run community kitchens to cut down the cost of meals for the community. The government allocates for 19 percent of the cost but does not account for the rise in food prices. Members pay for their meals, nonmembers pay a slightly higher price and elderly and sick may eat for free. Basically, purchasing the prepared meals is cheaper than trying to start from scratch at home. Beyond the kitchens, women are joining together to protest the government’s policies on food. According to The Christian Science Monitor, 8,000 members marched down the streets of Lima demanding an increase in government allocations (Llana). This is an important movement for women’s rights in Peru because women are taking a public stand through their words and actions.

            Another opportunity of informal employment for women is demonstrated in the streets of Peru. In the city of Lima, women represent two-thirds of the street vendor population. These vendors serve as both as a source of income and a place to buy and sell reasonably priced goods and services to the public. On May 3^rd, 2004, Women’s Network was given permission to place women in leadership roles within their vendor organizations. This program hosts leadership skills and income generating workshops for the empowerment of women. In addition, the network sponsors local cultural events for families to participate in dance and sports competitions (Sinha).  Again, women are able to put their efforts to good use to support their personal life and family.

            Overall, Peruvian women are developing their role in society by educating themselves on current issues. Experiences as a women are not always ideal but culture and traditions play a part in shaping relationships in the community. Whether it is combatting domestic violence, reproductive rights, or labor opportunities, Peruvian women are speaking out for the first time in history. By making a difference and helping others in need, these women are more than capable of overcoming a level of inequality in Peru.

           

Works Cited Page

Boesten, Jelke. Intersecting Inequalities: Women and Social Policy in Peru, 1990-2000. University Park, PA: Pennsylvania State UP, 2010. Print.

"CIA - The World Factbook." Welcome to the CIA Web Site — Central Intelligence Agency. 18 Jan. 2012. Web. 06 Feb. 2012. <https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/pe.html>.

James N., Suneeta Sharma, and Elaine P. Menotti. "Family Planning Policies And Their Impacts On The Poor: Peru's Experience." International Family Planning Perspectives 33.4 (2007): 176-181. Women's Studies International. Web. 4 Feb. 2012.

Jane M. Simoni, et al. "After The Fall From Grace: Negotiation Of New Identities Among HIV-Positive Women In Peru." Culture, Health And Sexuality 10.7 (2008): 739-752. Women's Studies International. Web. 6 Feb. 2012.

Llana, Sara Miller. "Peru's women unite in kitchen - and beyond. (Cover story)." Christian Science Monitor 28 July 2008: 1+. Academic Search Premier. Web. 4 Feb. 2012.

Monroe, Ursula. "Domestic Violence in Peru | Quechua Benefit." Quechua Benefit. Web. 05 Feb. 2012. <http://quechuabenefit.org/library/domestic-violence-in-peru.htm>.

"Peru." •Rebuilding Respect For Women•. Rebuilding Respect For Women. Web. 04 Feb. 2012. <http://rebuildingrespectforwomen.org/peru.html>.

"Protect Girls from Child Domestic Labor in Peru." - GlobalGiving. 2011. Web. 22 Feb. 2012. <http://www.globalgiving.org/projects/empower-girls-and-women-peru/>.

Sinha, Shalini. "The Case of Women's Network: Lima, Peru." Inclusive Cities: Discover How Inclusive Cities Are Better Cities! July 2010. Web. 06 Feb. 2012. <http://www.inclusivecities.org/>.