Half of the world's population is women, who are the mothers of the other half. Since 1911, every 9th of March, International Women's Day is celebrated, an observation recognized by the United Nations.
On this day we commemorate women's struggle to participate on an equal footing with men, both in society and in their own integral development as persons. Today, although women have achieved leadership positions not only as queens of the household but as presidents of countries, they still confront many problems, both in poor countries and in developed ones like the United States.
What problems are Latinas in New York have to face?
Sahony Espinal
Lives in the Bronx, studies Criminology
"Women are more independent today, but at the same time they have to confront more problems to be able to get ahead because they have to bring up their families by themselves. Fewer men want to make themselves responsible for their children, and the women have to be both mother and father, working, studying and taking care of the children without any help. In the past the same thing was true, but now the problem is worse."
Stacy Rosario
Lives in Manhattan, studies Liberal Arts
"Society is still very macho, and in many areas women are not treated the same as men; for example, it is easier for a man to be given an executive job than it is for a woman even though that woman has equal ability. In politics, although some women have become presidents of their countries, it is still easier for a man to become his country's leader. But we are making progress; nowadays there are more women studying at colleges and universities than there are men."
Hilda Hernández
Lives in the Bronx, is a housewife
"Among the main problems for women is domestic violence, fighting for a good education for their children, the economic problems. There are days when, the way the economy is, many women don't have even enough money to pay the rent. Women have to do it all in the home, study, work, bring up the kids, take care of their husbands. We work harder than the men do."
Francia Gerónimo
Lives in the Bronx, works cleaning offices and homes
"Many women have the same problems as I do: I work, and with what I earn I can't pay for health insurance, and since I have a job I can't go to an agency office to ask for assistance either. That's to say, if a woman works, she's got no rights to anything at all, but if she's got some vice like drug or alcohol addiction they give her everything, health insurance and they even pay her rent. I believe the government ought to revisit its policies and also help women like me, who don't earn enough to cover our expenses and are not a public burden."
María Gómez
Resident of Queens, has lived in New York for 33 years
"Stress, I think that's the worst problem we women confront, due to our life style. It's all about worrying about the family and the job; and for me things get worse on account of the climate, specifically when it's winter."
Marina Pérez
Resident of Brooklyn, has lived in New York for 55 years
"It's definitely domestic violence, especially in this area in East New York, because they don't listen to us. You go to the police and they do not take care of us the way they ought to. It happened to me once, and I was able to escape [the violence]. Women ought to report it and denounce it; that's the only way to get out of it. There are many women who don't do it because they are afraid, so they don't take that step."
