Regional coalition launched to boost women’s access to campaign financing
The Dominican Republic became the stage for the launch of the Regional Coalition to Promote Women’s Access to Electoral Financing. This strategic project seeks to coordinate efforts among electoral institutions, various political actors, and civil society organizations throughout the Americas, with the primary objective of breaking down the economic barriers that limit women when attempting to reach elected office.
The presentation of this initiative marked the culmination of the Week for the Promotion of Political Parity, an event that brought together prominent female leaders, party representatives, and international organizations in Santo Domingo to analyze the remaining challenges in the pursuit of equitable participation in decision-making spaces.
Regional leadership and vision
The Minister of Women of the Dominican Republic, Gloria Reyes, has been appointed to coordinate this regional process. The project is promoted by the Inter-American Commission of Women (CIM) of the Organization of American States (OAS), with the fundamental support of the Government of France.
The work of the CIM with candidates from across the region has shown that unequal access to resources, far from being an individual problem, is a structural barrier to parity democracy. This coalition allows for bringing that evidence into a regional process and gathering those who can transform the rules, practices, and mechanisms that determine how electoral resources are distributed and audited.
Alejandra Mora Mora, Executive Secretary of the CIM/OAS
Training and political empowerment
The day also served as the setting for the closing of the High-Level Course for Rural Women Aspiring to an Electoral Candidacy “Milagros Ortiz Bosch”. This specialized program, sponsored by the French Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs, trained women from across the continent interested in entering politics.
Among the most notable activities, the following were included:
- The keynote address by Epsy Campbell Barr, former Vice President of Costa Rica.
- The National Political Training Workshop for Afro-descendant Women Leaders, focused on strengthening political trajectories.
- Panel discussions on the progress and necessary changes in the political system to guarantee real parity.
Structural challenges in the spotlight
During the week of debates, special emphasis was placed on the obstacles that persist. Factors such as the burden of care, unpaid domestic work, and political violence remain determining factors that keep women away from electoral competition. From the Center for Research for Women’s Action (CIPAF), a call was made to use the information and networks generated to demand concrete responses and measure progress in gender equity.
This initiative was made possible thanks to the collaboration of the Ministry of Women, CIPAF, Participación Ciudadana, and the Center for Afro-Political Women, along with the technical support of the OAS, the European Union, and the French Development Agency, consolidating a common front to transform the political landscape of the region.
