Guatemala Lacks Women
Candidates
Participation of
Guatemalan women for
posts in the current
elections slightly
increased although it is
still very below
expectations of the
sector.
Although women are a
majority in the
population, only 12.6%
are part of the 29,821
candidates registered
for posts in the
September 9 elections.
"There are more
candidates but there is
still not a full opening
up for women," explained
women s leader Sandra
Moran, and added "that
where there is
advancement it has been
the result of strong
battles."
Moran noted the work of
parties such as
Encuentro por Guatemala
and Unidad
Revolucionaria Nacional
Guatemalteca that backed
Rigoberta Menchu and
Walda Barrios, for the
presidency and vice
presidency,
respectively.
She said that is was
very important that
Menchu, a representative
of the indigenous
population, aspire for
the first time to lead
the future of the
nation.
Due to a low number of
candidates, men will
occupy the majority of
municipal, departmental
and national posts.
Currently, only 14 women
hold seats in Congress
that has a total of 158
members while, on a
municipal level, only 8
women are mayors out of
a total of 332. |
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