The state university is making progress in bridging gaps, for which it has adopted a series of measures aimed at ensuring gender equality.

With the words of the Rector Dr. Luperfina Rojas, the ceremony to commemorate Women's Day began at the University of La Serena, in memory of the thousands of women who, through demonstrations, especially in Europe, demanded the right to vote, better working conditions and gender equality.

In his intervention, the first authority highlighted the commitment of regional and state universities to “eliminate all forms of exclusion of women, promoting their access to undergraduate programs, research teams and also to extension work and links with the environment and we work to eliminate all forms of discrimination.”

Likewise, he reported on the most important milestones in the advancement of this matter, emphasizing that the University of La Serena has implemented, among other measures, Law 21.369 that regulates sexual harassment, violence and discrimination and that seeks to build Safe spaces for all people who interact in the university community.

In response to this, the Department of Equity and Gender was formed, whose main functions are the implementation of the Model for the Prevention of Harassment, Violence and Gender Discrimination in order to establish safe environments; supervising compliance with all instruments for the operationalization of the Comprehensive Gender Equality Policy that regulates harassment, violence and discrimination at the University of La Serena, determining preventive protection measures, accompanying and repairing affected people.

“In addition to the services we provide to our community, we are working to achieve a change of focus where education and prevention are the bases to advance in the eradication of violence. We coordinate with academic and administrative units and the Student Federation to carry out activities during the year that allow us to continue responding to the law and move forward so that our university is a safer space free of violence for all people and especially for the women who are part of it,” highlighted the head of the Department, Camila Callejas.  

In the final words, Rector Rojas emphasized that “currently we have a new team of higher authorities that is equal, a community of non-academic officials made up of 50% women and an academic body that in its composition has 5% women, the highest figure in the last 40,1 years,” he emphasized, adding that “the work that has been carried out has yielded good results.”

The Gender Equality Area of ​​the General Area of ​​Rights and Duties for Comprehensive Training (AGDDFI), headed by Dr. Desirée López de Maturana, presented the actions planned by the area for this year, indicating that the work It will focus on issues related to women, their rights, and ways to reduce the gaps that are still present. 

Also present at this commemoration was the President of the Honorable Board of Directors, Ernesto Velasco, who greeted all the women present, highlighting the commitment of all those who study and work at ULS. “I highlight the way in which the institution has been strengthened on this issue and the way in which the Rector has transformed the protocols established for the parameters of equity in its different levels into internal public policies.” 

During the ceremony, recognition was given to the SEREMI of Women and Gender Equality, María Fernanda Glaser, in merit of her dedication and outstanding work for the constant fight for equality. On the occasion, the authority explained the guidelines and emphasis that the government has given in this matter and highlighted the approval of the law against violence against women. “We share our regional agenda with the educational and student community and we are very happy to see how the only public university in our region advances in a more just society for women, young people and girls,” she stated.

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