During the activities of the International Working Women's Day, the BCRA was the center for the analysis and reflection on public policies and the situation on violence against women and LGBTIQ+ persons with the presence of Dora Barrancos, sociologist and advisor to the Argentine Presidency, and Miguel Pesce, President of the BCRA.

The discussion panel also featured the participation of Susana Chiarotti, Argentine representative in the Committee of Experts of the Follow-up Mechanism to the Belem do Pará Convention; Alejandra Estoup, Secretary General of the Banking Association’s Office in Buenos Aires; and Javier Teodoro Álvarez, professor of Crimes against Sexual Integrity at the Law School of Universidad de Buenos Aires.

The event was organized by the Promotion of Gender Policies, Respect and Appropriate Workplace Behavior Management Office. Its Manager, María Celeste Perosino, coordinated the debate.

Barrancos addressed the importance of 40 years of democracy in Argentina, and the progress made in terms of fundamental rights, especially for women and social/gender dissidences, and stated that “the Gender Identity Law was a universal milestone.” She also highlighted the progress made on the Law on the Voluntary Interruption of Pregnancy and the ratification of the International Labor Organization (ILO) Convention No. 190, and emphasized the need to protect acquired rights. She said that “far-right politics are ready to take a few steps backwards, thus threatening social and fundamental rights.” And she concluded: “This is a day of struggle, not only for women but also for the emancipatory human condition with a view to achieving greater dignity.”

Chiarotti added: “During the 20th century, we fought for formal equality. Now, we demand real equality in order to build a society of equals.”

Estoup listed the achievements made in the labor rights of the banking sector, such as the different initiatives in relation to caregiving, telecommuting and employment quota for transgender people.

Then, Alvarez pointed out that “access to work under equitable, fair and adequate conditions is a human right, but not all sectors of society can exercise this right. Out of all sectors, the most vulnerable one is the group of trans and gender diverse people.”

President Miguel Angel Pesce closed the event by stating that “our country failed to understand this situation from the social and cultural point of view. This has changed because of the struggle of women like Dora, and we are witnessing the results. Our children and grandchildren will live in a better, more sympathetic and tolerant world.”

BCRA workers attended the meeting in person and online. Members of the Board such as Sergio Woyecheszen, Pablo Carreras Mayer, Claudio Golonbek, Juan Agustín D’Attellis, and members of the Supervisory Audit such as Marcos Moiseeff and Waldo Farías were also present.

March 8, 2023