US embassy cable - 04TEGUCIGALPA1067

UNCLAS TEGUCIGALPA 001067 
 
SIPDIS 
 
STATE FOR WHA/CEN, WHA/PPC, AND DRL/PHD 
STATE PASS AID FOR LAC/CEN 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: KWMN, SOCI, PHUM, PGOV, HO 
SUBJECT: LIMITED OPPORTUNITY EXISTS FOR WOMEN TO PARTICIPATE IN 
HONDURAN POLITICAL PROCESS 
 
 
1. Summary: Opportunities for women to participate in Honduran 
politics remains quite limited, particularly for those seeking 
elected office.  While women account for well over half of the 
Honduran population, they hold only a fraction of elected 
positions, both on the national and local level.  Despite limited 
attempts at reform to boost the number of women holding elected 
office, Honduran politics remains a male-dominated hierarchy 
inherently resistant to change.  End Summary. 
 
2. Although women secured the right to vote in Honduras in 1954 
and account for an estimated 57 percent of the Honduran 
population, few have made it past the ballot box when it comes to 
elected office.  In the Honduran National Congress, nine out of 
128 representatives are women, a mere 7 percent.  On the local 
level, only 27 of 298 mayors are women.  In contrast to 
congressional representatives, however, the number of women 
mayors has steadily increased through the past three elections. 
Despite these improvements, when electoral law reform was enacted 
during the 2001 elections fewer women overall were elected to 
office.  (On a positive note, even though the overall number of 
female judges remains small, due to a modified selection process, 
nine of 15 members of the Supreme Court are women, including the 
Chief Justice.) 
 
3. Current Honduran law stipulates that 30 percent of government 
jobs (including elected offices) should go to women, although 
this has never been enforced.  Political parties, for instance, 
have a 30 percent requirement for women to be placed on their 
party list.  However, political parties can easily put women at 
the bottom of the list, giving them a minimal chance to be 
selected.  This situation may change with the introduction of 
direct election of congressional representatives, as a result of 
electoral law reform passed in March 2004 (which has still yet to 
be officially published).  Photos will be placed on ballots 
encouraging the electorate to change its political party 
patronage perspective to focusing on individual candidates. 
Nevertheless, while many women do work in government jobs, the 
"glass ceiling" remains low, generally limiting them to non- 
decision making positions.  Also, women tend to be paid less than 
men for the same type of work even in government jobs. 
 
4. On March 31, a motion in Congress, supported by women's rights 
groups that would have mandated equal representation between men 
and women in high-level political office, was soundly defeated, 
gaining only 46 votes.  While the motion was never expected to 
pass, those campaigning for change considered the fact that it 
was even brought up for a vote a victory. 
 
5. On the local level, an event was held February 26 by the 
National Association for Municipal Women of Honduras (ANAMMUH) in 
order to appeal for increased women's participation in the 
political process.  On March 8, the National Institute of the 
Woman (INAM), a cabinet-level women's ministry, commemorated 2004 
as the "Year of the Political Rights of Honduran Women."  While 
women's groups would like to see greater participation by women 
in government, many Honduran women are apathetic about pursuing 
greater political participation. 
 
6. Comment:  Although women's groups in Honduras are pushing for 
change and some strides have been made, deeply ingrained Honduran 
cultural norms continue to severely restrict opportunities for 
women in politics, particularly at higher levels.  Many women not 
only continue to view their role in traditional ways, accepting a 
male-dominated hierarchy with little dissent, but also are 
constrained by a political system influenced by personal 
interests and not deeply rooted in democratic values.  This 
barrier to participation is further aggravated by an ineffective 
public educational system that has not been able to create 
opportunities and instill one's sense of choices and 
responsibilities.  Thus, expanded grassroots training and 
increased educational opportunities, particularly in rural areas, 
will be necessary before Honduran women can be expected to assume 
greater influence over political decisions that affect their 
daily lives.  Recent electoral law reform passed in March 2004 
may provide the opportunity for significant change; however, this 
will take time since both the electorate and politicians are not 
yet familiar with the law.  End Comment. 
 
 
Pierce