Buenos Aires (BsAs)

Robert and I arrived in Buenos Aires on Monday at 4pm and since then we have both been on the go.  I have attended a number of really excellent meetings and met with a number of the Argetine Fellows who are remarkable. My meetings here have included meetings with a wide range of strong and influential women in Argentina.

Most interesting is that Argentina has an election quota law to increase the number of women in elected positions.  They have an interesting electoral process and once the primary top position is chosen you vote for a party and the list of candidates for all the positions. We met with 2 congress women who were recently elected, both in their 30's both very capable and clear that their opportunity presented itself due to the quota law and that being elected is passing the first hurdle.

Originally the quota law resulted in the wives, lovers and friends of the male senators and congressmen being elected so in the beginning women were not taken as seriously.  This has changed dramatically. Another very interesting observation is that everyone we have met with speaks openly about the corruption in the government and the corruption runs very deep. Many NGO's refuse to take government funding because they do not want to be indebted to particular parties who then expect votes from the constituents who utilize their services. Even the Congress members we talked to openly talked about the corruption in government.

The President her Christina Kirchner is a complete contrast to Bachelet. She as described by many we have met with as ruling with more of an iron fist and makes decisions unilaterally. She as many has says "tries to rule to much like a man". In addition all speak to her and her husband corruption. But when you ask about her running again many say that it is likely that she will win. Some say because of lack of opposition and other say because of corruption and buying votes.

On a highly positive note the women are much more liberated here in Argentina but nothing like the United States. I have met with a broad spectrum of women (heads of NGO's, politicians, owner of a multi media company, journalist, and advocates) and all have a similar language about the progress of women in leadership and the importance of the quota law. Another high note is the recent presidential election in Brazil which resulted in another female president in South America. Coincidence that the three countries I have visited have elected female?? I think not. 

From a tourist perspective BsAs is very much like Paris, NYC and Madrid rolled into one city.  You walk every where. There is the most amazing shopping, coffee, food and wine everywhere. The women and men have a strong fashion sense. And the shoes....I could go on and on about the shoes.

Un abrazo fuerte,