Gender and Social Inclusion: Social Policy Perspectives from Latin America and the Caribbean

Based on recent experience and good practices with women’s inclusion, this paper analyzes some of the basic building blocks for social inclusion policies in Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC). It distinguishes 3 levels of interventions to advance social inclusion: (1) constitutional frameworks and national policies, (2) institutional arrangements, and (3) pro-active programs to counter specific forms of exclusion. In order to promote inclusion, first it is necessary to insure constitutional and legal protections for group rights. International and national anti-discrimination laws are among the necessary instruments to fight discrimination. National policies include counting excluded groups in national statistics and enacting land and property rights. Second, the paper examines the experience of LAC with government ministries or offices (“national machineries”) created to promote women’s empowerment. It finds that “mainstreaming” the concerns of excluded groups in agencies or ministries has worked in the case of gender inclusion, but success depends on strong support from the executive branch, close alliance with non-state actors and both cultural and political openings. Finally, the paper examines three sets of public policies in affirmative action, education and labor markets to promote inclusion, with particular emphasis on gender. LAC experience offers a good example of the need for both complementary actions in different sectors and participation of state and non-state actors to advance in social inclusion.