Evolution and perspectives for the future development of Peruvian women

In the last years, the role of women in politics, economic and social life of Peru has been very important for the developing and progress because they are the main promoters of well being within their family and social environment and this will improve the economic growth with real inclusion. In this way, Peruvian women are increasingly acquiring a greater leadership, his hard work, courage, sacrifice and perseverance that have been providing for the last years demonstrate how important they are for our society.

The situation of businesswoman in Peru, inequality of opportunity gender has promoted the promotion of business development in the woman. However, the gap in distribution of resources in the country and the idiosyncrasy of the region hinder the momentum required by the enterprise.

Obstacles perceived by women for their future development:
- Lack of educational centers
- Scarcity of economic resources to create companies.
- Low wages and income for the family support.
- Little or no investment by financial institutions.

The role of women has changed a lot in different regions of our country through the years. There are regions that have improved a lot in different aspects like education, but others regions do not.

For example:

• Amazonas: The educational offer does not cover the entire region. As a result, rural women have greater difficulty accessing the higher educational level. The activities of greatest female occupation are agriculture, commerce and education; they also work as unpaid housewives, which is the main cause of dropping out of their studies or jobs. 

• Ancash: The educational level of women in Ancash has improved, as women without an educational level decreased while those with a higher university level increased. Likewise, the level of female illiteracy was reduced by 24%, in accordance with the increase in the educational level of women. Women's work activity in Ancash has increased over time. Despite this, they are still in lower working conditions compared to men.

• Arequipa: There is a progressive reduction in illiteracy levels in women in the Arequipa region. This would suggest that women have greater access to education or desire to educate themselves, even there are interviews where women demonstrate their desire to continue or begin their studies. Most women work less or look for work because of their role as mothers and their work at home. Therefore, they seek to have income from non-formal or independent jobs. 

• Cajamarca: The educational level, as well as the school attendance rate, increased in the female population of the region between the last two national censuses. The illiteracy rate decreased 13.5% in the period 1993-2007. The professions that women most studied in the region are education, law and administration.

• Lima: The number of women who completed secondary school and their higher education is increasing. This situation would allow them to better face their role in society and insert themselves into the labor market. The illiteracy rate has been reduced due to a higher rate of attendance of rural women at some educational centers, motivated by the support of the Government.

There are many expectations about women for their development in the future, among them we can highlight:

• Improve their current education, for example get training at a technical or professional level.
• Increase their economic income.
• Have a better health service.
• Provide a better quality of life for their children.
• Accomplish their personal and work goals to achieve self-realization.
• Have access to credit.

In order to achieve the development of women in the future, State aid is of utmost importance, such as increasing its presence through investment in the education, transportation and communications sectors, encourage couples through meetings on the use and benefits of contraceptives so that this topic is no longer taboo for women, another recommendation would be encourage a social culture through which discrimination and inequality of rights can be reduced.