Ticas Study More, But Earn Less
According to a report by the "Estado Mundial de la Infancia", the inequality between men and women in the home and at work does not permit children to better their situation in Costa Rica as in the rest of Latin America.

The report centres on three central axis of equality, in the home, at work and participation in politics.

The president of the Costa Rican Instituto Nacional de la Mujer (Inamu), Jeannet Carrillo, presented the report on the situation of women in Costa rica.

In accordance with the report, young girls face difficulties in obtaining education, especially in developing regions. In Costa Rica, the situation is a little better than other Latin American countries. During the five years between 2000 and 2005, 73 out of 100 Costa Rican of high school age received adequate education, while only 67% of males of the same age group.

In Costa Rica, the gap between men and women is a lot smaller and in education if favours women.

Carrillo said that the education efforts are not yet compensated. "There is no correlation between salaries and education on the economic income of women as compared to men. The investment in education of women is not reflected in their pay", said Carrillo.

Carrillo cited the example of an average paycheck by men and women, where men generally earn ¢200.000 colones per month, while women earn ¢138.000 colones monthly.

Costa Rica also has a higher number of households headed by women, that is to say homes that do not count with the support of a man, where women have to fend for themselves economically. According to the report, 27.9% of the households in the country are headed by a woman, compared to the 20% that is on a world scale and 23% in Latin America.

Carrillo added that the high level means that more homes are prone to fall into poverty given the disadvantage women, who are heads of the family, have in the workplace, who also have to perform a double function of breadwinner and caring for the home.

Costa Rica also has a higher than average percentage of women in politics, surpassing the 17% average in Latin America.

Maria Elena Montenegro, of the world foundation UNICEF, said that the numbers for Costa Rica are a good indicator that Ticos (Costa Ricans) are more open to given women more opportunities.

In health issues, Costa Rica has positive results, as 99% of women now receive prenatal education and the infant mortality rate is only 11%.

However, notwithstanding the many progresses, the situation of women in Latin America and the world still means that the lives of millions is affected by discrimination, lack of economic autonomy and poverty.

In Latin America, women workers are only paid 69% of salaries paid to men and in some cases working in jobs with less security and social benefits. And in the majority of homes the woman has little to say on family decision, which, according to the report, affects nutrition and education of children.

In addition, the report indicates that in Latin America 36 out of every 100 women are victims of abuse.