Women in Paraguay fight for political equality. Soledad Nunez, a 40-year-old engineer, and former minister, is running for vice president in Paraguay’s Sunday election.

Paraguay’s “machista” culture has made it difficult for women to enter politics. As a result, 15% of lawmakers are women, compared to 30% in Latin America.

One female presidential candidate ran five years ago. Seven female candidates out of 26 indicate change.

“Something is shifting, even if slowly,” Nunez told Reuters, recalling how a university lecturer told her engineering class of eight women and over 90 men that women should sweep floors and cook.

In 2014, Nunez became the youngest female minister at 31. “From a young age… I saw very few women in leadership roles, across politics and in industry,” she stated.

“Having a woman at the top will have consequences,” she remarked. “Being there gives others confidence to participate.”

Nunez, the primary opposition coalition’s vice presidential candidate, seeks to overthrow the Colorado Party. The result is predicted to be close despite conflicting polling.

Nunez and her presidential running companion Efrain Alegre have pledged cabinet gender balance if elected. 25% of ministers are women.

Though two men are on its ticket, the right-wing Colorado party has also approved cabinet gender parity.

The “tough, hard-fought” procedure for women to enter municipal politics was described by former Paraguayan finance minister Lea Gimenez to Reuters.

“Many times women who start to venture into politics are newer than the men and that implies a learning process,” she remarked. “But I’d rather make it for a good job than a quota.”

Paraguayan women’s progress is uneven.

In 1961, they became Latin America’s final voters and candidates. Finally, after a 35-year dictatorship, the constitution guaranteed gender equality in 1992.

Five years ago, none of the 17 state governors were women. However, women won 25% of municipal jobs in 2021.

In 2021, voters ranked their preferred lawmakers instead of choosing from a restricted list to create a more competitive field.

Some women worry that may hurt female candidates, who often have fewer resources and support.

“Each candidate will have to campaign alone, creating huge costs for individuals, which is detrimental to female nominees,” said Senator Esperanza Martinez, 63.

Martinez is one of 45 senators seeking re-election. After the election, she anticipates only eight Senate seats to be held by women.

“There can be a long list of female candidates to choose from, but they won’t be voted in if they don’t have visibility and travel across the country,” she added. “What little we represent in the Senate will get worse under this system.”

“From now on, you’ll need more resources to get yourself known,” remarked legislator and rights campaigner Lilian Soto.

Martinez said the cabinet gender parity policy was a significant move amid growing debates in colleges and companies about women’s rights, frequently led by younger generations.

Martinez argued that concentrating on gender parity expands the issue. “However, politics’ entry barriers remain too high.”