The paradox of women’s rights in Peru

October 4, 2025

Peru demonstrates a stark contradiction in women's rights, with promising representation in parliament (scoring 72. 9 on the SDG Gender Index) but a dismal healthcare score of 35. 5, revealing a troubling disconnect.

Who is affected

Rural, Indigenous, and poor women in Peru
Pregnant women facing high maternal mortality rates
Young girls in rural provinces who cannot access abortion services after sexual assault
Women living far from healthcare facilities
Women whose reproductive rights exist on paper but not in practice

What action is being taken

Women are being represented in Peru's national parliament (indicated by the 72.9 SDG Gender Index score)
Peru maintains international commitments through signed agreements such as CEDAW and ICCPR
The Ministry of Health issues protocols related to healthcare (though implementation is lacking)
Health sector reforms have had "some positive impact" on women's reproductive health according to political scientist Stéphanie Rousseau

Why it matters

Peru's maternal mortality ratio (69 deaths per 100,000 live births) significantly exceeds the Latin American average (45) and is nearly five times higher than Chile (16) and Uruguay (13)
The disparity reveals a fundamental disconnect between political representation and real-world improvements in women's health
These deaths represent women whose lives could have been saved with proper care
Peru is failing to fulfill its legal obligations under international treaties
Political representation without meaningful healthcare access creates an illusion of progress that masks ongoing injustice

What's next

No explicit next steps stated in the article

Read full article from source: Global Voices