UN report says Chilean women suffer from discrimination

GENEVA.- According to a report generated by the High Office of the United Nations for Human Rights, Chile needs to monumentally improve the situation of women in the nation, who are reportedly suffering from discrimination and under-representation in several sectors of society.

The study was presented today during the nation's "Examen Periódico Universal", as part of the Human Rights Council of the United Nations.

The document highlights several instances of discrimination against women, such as when it comes to property ownership upon marriage.

The text recommends that a change be made to the regulation establishing that, unless a woman has been married under the decree of "separation of assets", she shall not be allowed to establish a commercial relationship with her own money without the express authorization of her husband.

The document also highlights the fact that, although there has been significant progress with regards to political decisions, female representation remains very low and the report encourages changes in the electoral system.

"We are concerned to discover that women have higher unemployment rates than men and that they receive significantly lower salaries", states the report – which also claims that the rate of female participation in the labor force in Chile continues to be one of the lowest in Latin America.