Thousands March in San Salvador for International Women’s Day

On March 8^th, thousands of men and women took to the streets to celebrate International Women’s Day and demand the passage of a new bill called the Law of Gender Equality and Equity. The new legislation would guarantee the rights of women to equal pay, equal education, equal access to land and equal political representation.

Thanks to the efforts of several female FMLN legislators and the feminist movement, the bill was signed into law on March 17th. Some key parts of the law, like gender cuotas for elections, were not included however. According to the online newspaper ContraPunto.com, of the 262 mayors in El Salvador only 29 are women and of the 84 legislators, only 18 are women.

Members of Sister Cities, the national directiva of CRIPDES and other regions of CRIPDES and CORDES participated in the march.

For more information about the law in Spanish see the link below:

http://www.contrapunto.com.sv/politica-nacionales/aprueban-ley-de-igualdad-sin-aspectos-esenciales

Here are some photos from the march.