The Inter-American Commission of Women (CIM) of the Organization of American States (OAS) concluded its 40th Assembly of Delegates with the adoption of a declaration on women's economic rights and the election of authorities who will lead the Commission during the 2026-2029 period.
Over three days, the Assembly brought together contributions from civil society alongside deliberations by principal delegates, ministers, senior authorities, cooperation agencies, and experts from across the region. Under the theme "It Is Time to Repay the Debt," discussions focused on transforming the gaps that limit women's economic rights into priorities for regional action: labor inclusion and entrepreneurship, financial inclusion, care policies, and digital inclusion.
The member states adopted a declaration reaffirming their commitment to advancing the full realization of women's economic rights. The declaration promotes measures to strengthen labor, financial, and digital inclusion; foster decent work and access to financial resources and leadership positions; advance care and co-responsibility policies; and reinforce national mechanisms for the advancement of women, as well as the role of the CIM as a hemispheric forum for dialogue and cooperation.
The declaration also recognizes the importance of partnerships with civil society, the private sector, academia, multilateral organizations, and international financial institutions. It outlines a roadmap toward the CIM's centennial in 2028, while acknowledging women's historic contributions to democracy, human rights, development, and security throughout the Americas.
During the closing session, OAS Assistant Secretary General Laura Gil Savastano highlighted the commitment and spirit of consensus demonstrated by the delegations in reaching agreements, as well as the participation of 20 high-level gender authorities from across the Americas and the collaboration established with civil society, the public sector, academia, development partners, and multilateral organizations.
On the final day of the Assembly, Uruguay was elected by acclamation to serve as President of the CIM for the 2026-2029 period. The presidency will be held by Mónica Xavier Yelpo, Director of the National Institute for Women of Uruguay's Ministry of Social Development. The Vice Presidencies will be held by Grenada, represented by Gloria Ann Thomas, Minister of Social and Community Development, Housing and Gender Affairs; Canada, represented by Rechie Valdez, Minister for Women and Gender Equality; and Paraguay, represented by Alicia Pomata Gunsett, Minister for Women.
The following countries were elected to serve on the Executive Committee: Guatemala, represented by Ana Prudencia López Sales, Presidential Secretary for Women; Guyana, represented by Vindhya Persaud, Minister of Human Services and Social Security; Jamaica, represented by Sharon Coburn Robinson, Senior Director for Gender Affairs; Peru, represented by Edith Betzabeth Pariona Valer, Minister of Women and Vulnerable Populations; and Saint Lucia, represented by Emma Hippolyte, Minister for Equity, Labour, Gender Affairs, Senior Citizens, Social Justice and Consumer Welfare.
Upon assuming the Presidency of the CIM, Mónica Xavier stated: "Today we are not simply closing an Assembly. Today we reaffirm a regional political pact for gender equality, women's human rights, and democracy." She also emphasized that Uruguay will undertake this responsibility with a spirit of listening, collective action, and hemispheric commitment.
The Assembly also launched two regional instruments designed to translate international commitments into practical tools for government action: the Model Law on Labor Inclusion and the Promotion of Women's Entrepreneurship and Business Development and the Model Law on Women's Financial Inclusion. These laws provide frameworks to support States in creating or reforming legislation and public policies aimed at eliminating barriers in employment, entrepreneurship, and access to financial services. The Government of France and the Development Bank of Latin America and the Caribbean (CAF) served as strategic partners in the drafting and design of these instruments.
The data underpinning the discussions underscored the magnitude of this debt. According to ECLAC, in Latin America and the Caribbean, one in every two women of working age does not participate in the formal labor market, and those who do earn, on average, 22% less than men. Furthermore, 25% of women aged 15 and older have no income of their own, and 60% of women who are not engaged in paid work cite caregiving responsibilities as the primary reason.
The cost of these gaps extends beyond women's individual lives. The Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) reports that 73% of women-led small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) are unable to secure sufficient financing, and that achieving gender equality could increase regional Gross Domestic Product (GDP) by as much as 22%. UN Women also estimates that closing the gender digital divide could generate a positive impact of USD 1.5 trillion on the global economy over five years. These challenges directly informed the agreements reached by the Assembly and the regional tools presented to support States in addressing structural inequalities.
In closing the Assembly, the Executive Secretary of the Inter-American Commission of Women (CIM), Alejandra Mora Mora, expressed her gratitude to Niurka Palacio, Panama's Minister for Women, for the leadership she demonstrated during her tenure as President of the CIM and for her contribution to advancing the regional agenda for women's rights.
"This Assembly leaves us with a clear and shared roadmap. Repaying the debt owed to women's economic rights requires turning agreements into concrete actions that guarantee their rights, strengthen their bargaining power, and contribute to building more just, democratic, and sustainable societies," Mora Mora stated.
The agreements reached during these three days reflect the political mandate of the Assembly of Delegates, the CIM's highest decision-making body. Convened every three years, the Assembly brings together principal delegates accredited by OAS member states to adopt decisions, policies, and action programs that guide the strategic direction of the Commission and its regional work in support of women's rights.
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