Guatemala’s juristic sector receives valuable inputs on gender equality

The British Embassy, the Law Society of England and Wales, UN Women Guatemala and Guatemalan law firms Denton’s Muñoz, BLP, Aguilar Castillo Love, who make up the core group, presented the results.

The report entitled “Analysis and proposals of female lawyers in Guatemala to promote gender equality in the legal sector” collects the experiences, challenges, proposals and potential solutions to overcome the barriers that lawyers face in the legal profession.

The study consisted of three phases; the first one being a nationwide survey with Guatemalan lawyers from various fields; a second one, which celebrated 14 round consultation tables, and a final phase of information analysis.

Subsequently, the group shared the main challenges identified in relation to conscious and unconscious prejudices. It was also discussed the understanding of flexible work to balance job and family life, as well as the wage gap.

Through this approach, the evidence collected will allow the design and implementation of measures to strengthen and improve the representation and equal participation of women in the exercise of their profession in the future.

Finally, the group shared proposals and potential solutions to the different personal, institutional and educational challenges within the juridical profession. It also considered the importance of including men as agents of change to advance gender equality in the country.

Barbara Amono-Oceng, Charge d’Affairs at the British Embassy, said:

Gender equality contributes to safer and more prosperous societies. Advancing the issue of gender equality, as well as the rights of women and girls, are part of the values that my Embassy seeks to promote in Guatemala.