A ministry with more resources, but with the same number of officials

New Ministry of Womencreated almost six months ago on March 8, it will have a budget of $17 million, a significant difference compared to the $5.1 million it received this year as a national institute (Inamu).

However, the payroll of the ministry remains the same, s 178 employees, of which 138 are permanent and 40 are under contract.

Minister Juana Herrera specified that this staff works in 17 service centers across the countryplus headquarters, two shelters and a safe house.

He the personal services increase for next year is $420,235.00from $3.53 million this year to $3.95 million in 2024.

Herrera explained that the increase, mostly, this is due to vacations that have expired and only seven new positions and two national directors, who currently do not have a position, were considered.

In view of this, the new ministry requested an additional $1.8 million to appoint 121 public servantsmostly promoters, answering calls, lawyers and drivers.

“The budget committee has recommended that we can also request an extension, repeat items to be able to cover the technical and attention part of our ministry, which are psychologists, social workers and lawyers“, asserted the minister.’

The Ministry was established on March 8 this year by sanctioning the law on that date, on the occasion of International Women’s Day.

This is the second time that a women’s ministry has been established, since the Ministry of Youth, Women, Children and Family (Minjumfa) was established in 1997, which was later transformed into the Ministry of Social Development (Mides).

Juana Herrera, was the director of the National Institute of Mental Health and was part of the Women’s Forum of Political Parties.

The formation of the new ministry was carried out with the support of the Ministry of Economy and Finance.

When asked what caused the increase in the ministry’s budget if the same staff as the old Inamu were kept, Herrera said there were other factors at play such as equipment, rent and other inputs.

“We have a fleet of 35 cars, but half are from 2010 to 2015.. If you are going to the regions, these cars must be in good condition to be able to transport our staff and users who go to hearings, to hospitals and health centers,” said the minister.

During the support before the members of the Budget Committee, Herrera reminded that Act 82 of 2013 defining femicideestablished the obligation to build shelters in the provinces for women who survived violence.

However, there are only two shelters and a safe houseTherefore, by 2024, it is planned to build a safe house in Bocas del Toro and a comprehensive care center in Llano Tugrí, Ngäbe Buglé region.

Line 182

The request for receptionists by the Ministry of Women is due to the fact that the intention is to rescue Helpline 182.

This center is used for users contact and present their situation get help.

“If it’s an emergency, we can contact the police to give you support. If you’re in an emotional crisis situation, you can be channeled through the hotline to see how you can resolve it quickly,” Herrera illustrated.