Ninth Conference of Spouses of Heads of State and Government of the Americas

In the area of healthy schools, Canada launched the Aboriginal Head Start Early Intervention Program, which focuses on native children up to age six living in communities in northern Canada.

Uruguay established eye health programs in its schools, supplying prescription glasses for those children in need. Oral health and anti-parasite programs, as well as medical check-ups were set up in schools in socio-economically depressed areas.

In the area of sex education for girls, Argentina has instituted a program for staff of residential schools, programs for teenagers dealing with prevention and sexual health care, a nation-wide educational program to encourage responsible parenthood, a national comprehensive health plan for adolescents, and workshops on teenage pregnancies.

Guyana holds workshops for pregnant teenagers who have had to leave school, teaching them skills to enable them to find jobs and become more self-sufficient.

In the field of HIV/AIDS prevention for adolescents, Brazil has developed educational strategies for the prevention of HIV/AIDS targeted to children and teenagers, teachers and educators. National working networks were established, linking educational professionals who are experts in sexuality, AIDS and drug abuse. As a result, 183 979 teachers were trained, and some four million students received information on how to avoid contracting AIDS and other sexually transmitted diseases.

Uruguay passed a law making it compulsory to offer HIV tests to all pregnant women and to provide anti-retrovirus medication for those who test positive.

As for entrepreneurship programs aimed at rural women, the Rural Women’s Office of Colombia’s Ministry of Agriculture launched a special project on socio-economic stabilization and consolidation of women and rural families displaced by guerilla warfare.

In Guatemala, the Office of the First Lady strengthened its programs to promote the economic well-being of rural women.

Guyana created women’s groups to provide training for rural women in sewing, knitting and crafts, with a view to making them more economically self-sufficient.

Haiti has promoted social and economic development by guaranteeing loans for women to improve the quality of their products, along with their living conditions.

In Honduras, 14 312 women living in extreme poverty received training in high-production areas, for an investment of close to US$900 000. Financial support of about US$550 000 was provided for 280 female micro-entrepreneurs.

Panama’s strategies in this area included forums to train 1500 rural facilitators, who were also provided with medical, dental and gynecological treatment.

Trinidad and Tobago established working networks for rural women to help them become financially self-reliant. Seminars and presentations were made on such topics as skills and production, market identification, technology transfers and food management.

In a recent multilateral horizontal co-operation project, Argentina, Chile, Honduras, Panama and Peru appointed national project co-ordinators to participate in the first meeting of the Integra Foundation project, which promotes childhood development in the region.

In the area of domestic violence, Chile is examining the law against domestic violence that has been in effect for four years. Parliament is now studying the possibility of filling in gaps in that law to make enforcement easier and more effective.

In the Dominican Republic, the campaign to prevent domestic violence has been stepped up. Policies include the new Law to Prevent Domestic Violence; a pilot violence prevention program in two communities; the establishment of police detachments to protect women; new social services for victims of domestic violence; and programs for psychological treatment and counselling provided by the Ministry of Public Health.

El Salvador seeks to prevent domestic violence by creating temporary shelters for abused women. Through a program to improve family relations, action was taken in 10 153 cases, while another 87 655 cases were assisted.

Guatemala passed a Domestic Violence Prevention and Eradication Law.

In Panama, a National Report on Violence against Women was prepared. The country’s first shelter for abused women was opened, and anti-domestic violence forums for rural and indigenous women were held across the country.

As for programs aimed at improving the lot of senior citizens, Brazil developed a National Policy for Seniors and an Action Plan to implement it, as well as a National Program of Assistance for Homes for the Aged. Assistance was provided to 302 361 elderly persons. More than seven million seniors received flu, pneumonia and tetanus vaccinations.

Colombia provided subsidies for 100 000 seniors through its Social Solidarity Network, and nutritional and leisure support for 50 000 seniors living in extreme poverty. Municipal policies for assistance to this age group were strengthened in 800 communities.

Haiti has promoted social and economic development by guaranteeing loans for women to improve the quality of their products, along with their living conditions.

In Honduras, 14 312 women living in extreme poverty received training in high-production areas, for an investment of close to US$900 000. Financial support of about US$550 000 was provided for 280 female micro-entrepreneurs.

Panama’s strategies in this area included forums to train 1500 rural facilitators, who were also provided with medical, dental and gynecological treatment.

Trinidad and Tobago established working networks for rural women to help them become financially self-reliant. Seminars and presentations were made on such topics as skills and production, market identification, technology transfers and food management.

In a recent multilateral horizontal co-operation project, Argentina, Chile, Honduras, Panama and Peru appointed national project co-ordinators to participate in the first meeting of the Integra Foundation project, which promotes childhood development in the region.

In the area of domestic violence, Chile is examining the law against domestic violence that has been in effect for four years. Parliament is now studying the possibility of filling in gaps in that law to make enforcement easier and more effective.

In the Dominican Republic, the campaign to prevent domestic violence has been stepped up. Policies include the new Law to Prevent Domestic Violence; a pilot violence prevention program in two communities; the establishment of police detachments to protect women; new social services for victims of domestic violence; and programs for psychological treatment and counselling provided by the Ministry of Public Health.

El Salvador seeks to prevent domestic violence by creating temporary shelters for abused women. Through a program to improve family relations, action was taken in 10 153 cases, while another 87 655 cases were assisted.

Guatemala passed a Domestic Violence Prevention and Eradication Law.

In Panama, a National Report on Violence against Women was prepared. The country’s first shelter for abused women was opened, and anti-domestic violence forums for rural and indigenous women were held across the country.

As for programs aimed at improving the lot of senior citizens, Brazil developed a National Policy for Seniors and an Action Plan to implement it, as well as a National Program of Assistance for Homes for the Aged. Assistance was provided to 302 361 elderly persons. More than seven million seniors received flu, pneumonia and tetanus vaccinations.

Colombia provided subsidies for 100 000 seniors through its Social Solidarity Network, and nutritional and leisure support for 50 000 seniors living in extreme poverty. Municipal policies for assistance to this age group were strengthened in 800 communities.

Peru kicked off its first recreational and sports program for seniors, with 2000 participating.

As for women’s leadership incentives, Argentina designed a training program in political leadership for women, and a tripartite committee was established to promote equal opportunities for men and women in the work force.

In 1998, Colombia included a Plan for Equal Opportunities for Men and Women in its 1998-2002 National Development Plan. Noteworthy as well was the passage of legislation to set quotas for women employed in decision-making levels in Colombia’s civil service. This legislation establishes that women will fill at least 30 percent of high-level positions in government.

The Dominican Republic increased the number of women in positions of authority in the public and private sectors, by passing an amendment to the Electoral Act, calling for a 25-percent quota of women candidates running for Congress and municipal office.

Haiti launched a campaign aimed at encouraging women to participate in political life by encouraging them to vote.

In Honduras, Congress was asked to pass a law to increase the quota of women in politics and the public service. This year, five women held senior positions in government, which is unprecedented in the country’s history. The main goal is to achieve 50:50 participation in public postings by men and women.

Peru is promoting greater participation by women in political life. Laws were passed, stipulating that at least 25 percent of all lists of candidates must be female. The number of women in the national police force has increased. Starting in 2000, women will be able to join the merchant marine. Job training programs have also been developed to increase the work options for women.

In the field of education for rights and a culture of peace, two projects were developed in the Dominican Republic: Young Leaders for Peace and Participation of Children in Building Democracy. A campaign to promote human and children’s rights was also launched.

Haiti is designing a civic education program for its schools. Its purpose is to teach children about their role in bringing about a politically healthy society. Children will become familiar with democratic practices such as tolerance, respect and determination. Teachers are being trained to promote democratic rules, values and ideals.

Under the heading of 21 st Century Schools: Training for Life, Argentina is carrying out a public health surveillance project and a program of preventive care for women’s health, to reduce cancer of the uterus and prevent cancer through early diagnosis and treatment. Under the latter program, exfoliative cytology is being performed on all sexually active women over 18. Under the breast cancer prevention program, women over 40 are given mammograms.

Trinidad and Tobago is strengthening its monitoring systems for early detection of outbreaks of infectious diseases. The First Lady has also inaugurated a mobile clinic to monitor non-contagious diseases.