President Javier MIlei’s government on Sunday issued a message marking International Women’s Day that included criticism of the gender policies of its predecessor in office, describing them as a “multi-million-dollar scam.”
In a message shared on social media and accompanied by a video of feminist demonstrations in Argentina, Milei’s government hailed its December 2023 decision to abolish the Women, Gender & Diversity Ministry on the grounds that it promoted “absurd ideological agendas.”
“This March 8 we commemorate Women’s Day by remembering that for years a noble cause was used to sustain multi-million political structures, impose absurd ideological agendas and divide Argentines. That model is over. Today Argentina celebrates the women who, with freedom, merit and effort, are building the nation’s future,” a message posted on X said.
In February, a report by the Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW) warned that in Argentina “the dissolution of the ministry in December 2023 and the restructuring of equal opportunities institutions have led to a fragmentation of responsibilities, the weakening of inter-ministerial coordination and a reduction in the technical capacity dedicated to advancing women’s rights.”
Among the affected public policies, the United Nations body cited the withdrawal of funding for the 144 emergency hotline for victims of domestic violence in a country where 271 femicides were recorded in 2025, according to organisations defending women’s rights.
CEDAW also expressed concern about “significant reductions in budget allocations for gender equality policies and programmes, including those aimed at preventing and addressing gender-based violence and promoting sexual and reproductive health and rights, as well as the suspension or interruption of national plans and federal coordination mechanisms”.
It also noted that over the past two years Argentina has seen an “increase in public discourse against gender equality policies and women human rights defenders, including journalists covering issues related to sexual and reproductive health and rights and gender-based violence”.
Feminist organisations have called for a women’s strike and a march on Monday.
A report by the INDEC national statistics bureau released on Sunday showed that in Argentina women earn on average 26 percent less than men and head eight out of ten single-parent households, which account for 16 percent of all households with children.
The report also noted that “the higher prevalence of women in informal employment and in service sectors linked to education, healthcare and domestic work is associated with lower average pay, which affects their position at retirement.”
– TIMES/AFP
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