With the participation of representatives from 15 countries in the region, the cooperative movement of the Americas commemorated International Women's Day with a webinar that focused the debate on current challenges in terms of rights, participation and governance with an equality perspective.
The activity was organized by the Regional Committee for Gender Equity (CREG) of Cooperatives of the Americas and brought together women and men linked to cooperatives, federations, universities and institutions from across the continent, in an exchange space that combined political reflection, historical perspective and transformative commitment.
One of the central moments of the meeting was the presentation by Dr. Mónica Xavier, current director of the National Institute of Women of Uruguay, who provided a clear and compelling perspective on the meaning of March 8 in the current context.
Xavier emphasized that this date transcends symbolic commemoration and should be understood as an exercise in collective memory and the demand for rights. In that sense, he recalled that the progress achieved in gender equality “were not concessions, but the result of sustained struggles over time by women's movements worldwide.”
During her speech, she also warned about the persistent gaps affecting women in various areas, from access to decision-making positions to economic inequalities and gender-based violence. She further noted that in the current context, “some hard-won rights are beginning to be questioned, which reinforces the need for sustained vigilance and a collective commitment to their defense.”
At the same time, he stressed the importance of "recognizing the progress made, not as an end point, but as a foundation on which to continue building fairer and more equal societies."
One of the most resonant concepts in her presentation concerned the role of women in leadership positions. She argued that every woman who attains a decision-making position also assumes an ethical mandate: to help pave the way for others. This idea reinforces the intergenerational nature of the fight for equality, where individual achievements acquire meaning insofar as they become collective opportunities.
From the CREG's perspective, the webinar also served as an opportunity to reaffirm the role of the cooperative movement as a key player in this agenda. The speakers agreed that the cooperative movement has concrete tools to promote gender equality, not only in its rhetoric but also in its daily practices.
In particular, the need to advance towards more inclusive governance models, strengthen training processes with a gender perspective, and consolidate institutional commitments that translate into policies and actions sustained over time was highlighted.
The event made it clear that the challenge is significant, but that there is a solid foundation from which to move forward. In a regional context marked by social and economic tensions, the cooperative movement emerges as a space with the potential to drive profound transformations, supported by its values of democracy, solidarity, and participation.
Thus, March 8th in a cooperative key was not only a moment of reflection, but also a reaffirmation of commitment: to continue building equality from each organization, with the conviction that structural changes require both political will and collective action.
