Women represent more than 50% of the world's population. Their role in today's society is essential; however, compared to males, they have many disadvantages on social, economic, cultural, and health issues, especially in Latin America. Since the United Nations approved an agreement to eliminate every means of discrimination against women in 1979, many policies have been carried out in order to turn theory into practice. Yet, the health condition of women in Central and South America has barely changed.

Certainly, the current situation of many women living in this part of the world is quite unfortunate. Topics such as availability and access to services, and violence perpetuated against women, make the problem even more preoccupying. Peru is surely one of the cases that need to be brought to light. Looking into the health situation of women living in this country, we can observe that 40% of all the female population suffers from anemia and/or malnutrition. Only one of two deliveries is taken care of by trained medical professionals, and just one third of all the deliveries in the Nation are attended by physicians. Moreover, almost 50% of all the deliveries in Peru are performed at the patient's home.

If we consider the woman's socio-economic status, these numbers vary significantly. In the upper middle- and high-status, 91 to 96% of the deliveries are attended by trained medical professionals, and only between 5 and 15% are performed at home. On the other hand, in lower socio-economic status, only 14% are attended by medical professionals, while 89% of the deliveries take place at home.

Violence against women in Latin America is another highly concerning issue. Although the history of gender violence in the region is well known, the numbers are increasingly alarming. In fact, in 1996 the World Health Organization pointed out that gender violence should be considered a public health priority.

In Peru, a recent study carried out in Lima and Cusco showed that 48% of women in Lima and 68% of women in Cusco reported being victims of physical assault by their partner; while 23% of women in Lima and 47% of women in Cusco declared being victims of sexual abuse. The fact that more than a half of women in Lima and 2 of 3 women in Cusco reported being a victim of physical or sexual abuse is not only disturbing but frustrating. Even worse, it is known that violence against women increases mostly during pregnancy, and according to several reports, in the majority of the cases, the aggressor is usually the baby's father.   

Woman against woman

It is even more surprising to note that most of the women interviewed in Lima and Cusco considered that domestic problems should be handled "in private", and although many of them stated that they were in need of medical attention, the majority of them did not receive any kind of assistance.

In Cusco, 3 of 4 women considered that the female should obey her husband, whether she agrees with him or not. Moreover, a large number of women believed that physical violence is a justifiable act.

Regarding the sexual abuse issue, it was overwhelming to find out that 10% of women in Lima and more than 50% of women in Cusco considered improper to refuse to engage in sexual intercourse with their partners, even when they are not willing to do so. This fact is extremely important in a country where only 40% of the female population uses a contraceptive method, and only 2 of 3 women have some kind of knowledge about HIV/AIDS and its different ways of transmission.

Unfortunately, the conditions of mistreatment of women in Peru are not an exception to the rule. On the contrary, they reflect the general situation experienced by a large number of women living in Latin America.

It may be tedious for the general public to review the statistics that reveal the health status of the population, but the numbers shown hereof demonstrate the great importance of acting towards an immediate solution. It is obvious that improving the health situation of women in Latin America -which implies gender violence-, goes beyond the simple practice of the law or any kind of punishment against the aggressor. Certainly, it would be naïve pretending to find a solution at a bureaucratic level, since the actual problem implies social, educational, informational and, most of all, cultural aspects.

Although there have been many initiatives set in motion by different Latin American governments -like the creation of the Ministry of the Woman in Peru-, there will be minimal accomplishments if there is no change in the attitude and perception of women as human beings with the same rights as males, as an individual capable of contributing in society and deserving respect.

This change does not imply just a modification of males' views towards women, but most importantly, this change should arise from women's own mentality, from the perception that they have about themselves and the importance of their position for a sustainable economic and social development of the Latin American countries. Probably, this will be the most difficult task; certainly, it represents one of the greatest challenges that Latin American society has to face. Without this change of mentality, the development of Latin American countries will be harder to accomplish.