Rector Natacha Pino before the Constitutional Convention: “Legislation is needed to guarantee the principle of non-discrimination in higher education and knowledge production.»

In the hearing before the Commission on Knowledge Systems, Cultures, Science, Technology, Arts and Heritage of the Constitutional Convention, the CRUCH Gender Equality Commission made a proposal of the main aspects that should be considered in the new constitution.

On behalf of the CRUCH Gender Equality Commission, the rector of the University of Aysén, Natacha Pino, spoke before the Commission on Knowledge Systems, Cultures, Science, Technology, Arts and Heritage of the Constitutional Convention, with the purpose of making known those aspects that the new constitution should contemplate in this area.

In the virtual hearing this Wednesday, December 1, which the Gender Equality Commission had requested some time ago, Rector Pino pointed out that "legislation is required that guarantees the principle of non-discrimination in higher education spaces and in the production of knowledge.".

In the presentation, the rector referred to the main objectives of the CRUCH Gender Equality Commission, as well as its main contributions since its creation in 2018. She also provided contextual elements for analyzing higher education in terms of gender, an overview of the main asymmetries and gaps, a problematization of the situation in universities, and finally, concrete proposals. The presentation was accompanied by a document prepared by the commission (see Presentation Knowledge Systems Commission.docx )

Along with Rector Natacha Pino, the president of the CRUCH Gender Equality Commission, Antonia Santos, also participated, as well as other Gender Directors from universities, including Lucía Saldaña, from the University of Concepción; Claudia Alarcón, from the University of O'Higgins; and Diana Kiss, from the University of Los Lagos.

The Commission on Knowledge Systems, Cultures, Science, Technology, Arts and Heritage of the Constitutional Convention is made up of fifteen delegates, and its coordinators are Ignacio Achurra and Cristina Dorador.

The proposals

Based on a diagnosis carried out by the Commission in 2019, it was evident that there are significant gender gaps in universities in terms of the distribution of enrollment of men and women differentiated by areas of knowledge and by level; differences in the participation and position of academics; different opportunities in terms of recruitment and teaching performance; gender imbalances in the formation of academic bodies, in scientific productivity, in university management and in decision-making.

On the other hand, there is a presence of gender stereotypes (sexism) and different expressions of gender violence that (re)produce inequalities, prevent the full development of capabilities and reduce opportunities for women.

While there has been significant progress in CRUCH universities, the State needs to provide the necessary and sufficient conditions to generate knowledge with a gender perspective.

In this vein, it is proposed that the new constitution should include two central aspects: firstly, that higher education be developed and implemented under a gender approach, ensuring its institutionalization, mainstreaming, and eradication of violence; and secondly, that the generation/production of knowledge occur under the principle of non-discrimination, which requires that public policies, initiatives, mechanisms, instruments, and proposals implemented from the central level consider gender variables in their design, implementation, and evaluation, allowing for the closing of existing gaps.

The Gender Equality Commission

It is worth recalling that the CRUCh Gender Equality Commission was established in 2018, following the feminist movement of May, which emerged within our universities in response to various forms of gender-based violence, discrimination, and sexist education. This body is composed of representatives from 29 CRUCh universities, appointed by their respective rectors.

The Commission serves as a forum for dialogue, collaboration, and the strengthening of various intra- and inter-university initiatives, which has contributed to the realization of several projects. These include the development of gender relations assessments; the creation of Gender Offices or equivalent units in CRUCH universities; the implementation of protocols for addressing cases of sexual harassment, gender-based violence, and discrimination; the gradual integration of a gender perspective into the curriculum; the institutionalization and mainstreaming of this perspective across universities; and active participation in the drafting and discussion of Law 21.369, which regulates sexual harassment, violence, and gender discrimination in higher education; among others.