On International Women’s Day, thousands of institutions seek to emphasize the importance of creating spaces that promote gender equality.
In this context, a solemn and emotional commemoration of International Women’s Day took place at the Pontifical Catholic University of Valparaíso. On the occasion, directors, workers and students of the traditional house of studies gathered to highlight the role of women in the different levels of society.
The academic vice-rector and rector(s), Claudia Mejías, highlighted the active performance of the PUCV Gender Equality Directorate and the inclusion of the topic within the University’s Strategic Development Plan as evidence of the commitment and recognition in matters of equality.
In this sense, he pointed out that “it is important to highlight the institutional commitment to move towards a more equitable university context that promotes the training of people in an integral environment where the values of respect, honesty, trust and responsibility prevail, placing at the center the dignity of people and the appreciation of diversity as a form of wealth.”
In addition, the rector(s) addressed the work carried out by the University’s Gender Equality Directorate. “The rectorship, from the beginning of this mandate, has expressed its strong commitment to gender equality, with the purpose of giving continuity to the advances that already existed in the matter, but also with the creation of new spaces that allow addressing the various problems we face. Thus, the Gender Equality Directorate was created, dependent on the Vice-Rector’s Office for Development, which is responsible for articulating the implementation of a policy that can contribute significantly to institutional management, to the academic field and to the various interactions of the University community. , held.
For her part, the director of Gender Equity and academic at the School of Social Work, Yesika Herrera, stated that “our main objective is to articulate meanings and actions that mainstream the gender perspective in the work we carry out in all our areas; whether in connection with the environment, teaching, research and training.”
Advances
Among the advances in terms of gender identity at the House of Studies, in addition to the creation of the Directorate and the drafting of an equity policy that will soon be made official, include the installation of validation procedures for the use of people’s social names. that require it. The development of the establishment in matters of equity is also demonstrated in the creation of the Commission for the Prevention, Support and Punishment of Harassment, Harassment, Violence and Arbitrary Discrimination.
In addition, an InES Gender Project was awarded to promote initiatives that empower PUCV researchers. In this sense, the Faculty of Engineering opened an area of Female Participation and Leadership to address the challenges associated with gender gaps in engineering.
Also, starting this year, the University will compensate for the delay that the ranked and assigned academics had in their academic career with an extraordinary recognition that will be offered at the time of separation and that corresponds to the allocation of an additional year of salary per child. .
For Pamela López, political secretary of Union Number 1, she was emphatic in stating that “the work carried out by the rectory in this regard is recognized. She makes us happy to see that there are a large number of women within the University who have been able to advance.”
In the same sense, Pamela Catalán, representing the Alberto Hurtado Union of the PUCV and also pedagogical advisor of the Teaching Development program of the Academic Vice-Rector’s Office, said that “there are many women who currently participate and contribute to the University, which is relevant. , significant and a source of pride for the PUCV.”
Jimena Pascual, director of the School of Industrial Engineering, had similar words. “It is important for society that we build a future with diverse perspectives, both men and women. For this reason, our job as trainers is to ensure that everything we do has a gender perspective,” the academic explained.
Finally, Javiera Carlesi, president of the Student Federation of the Pontificia Universidad Católica de Valparaíso, stressed that “it is important that places of knowledge construction, such as the university, also participate, not only commemorating 8M, but also carrying out events concrete steps to advance gender equality.”
