# ColombiaGender Parity Accelerator

Colombia currently ranks 75th out of 146 countries on the World Economic Forum’s Gender Gap Index and 16th within Latin America and the Caribbean region. The most significant gender gaps in Colombia continue to exist around women’s political and economic participation and empowerment.  Colombian women face significant disadvantages compared to men when accessing the labor market. Their labor force participation is 27% lower, the unemployment rate is 71% higher, and their incomes are 17% lower. Additionally, women work 17% more hours on average. Closing workforce gender gaps is essential to Colombia’s continued inclusive economic growth.


## Activities and deliverables

Launched in 2019, Colombia’s Gender Parity Accelerator seeks to close gender gaps in workforce participation, remuneration, and leadership, particularly in male-dominated sectors such as energy, construction and mining. It is led by the ministries of Labour, Trade and Commerce, and Industry and Tourism; supported by the World Economic Forum and the Inter-American Development Bank, and currently working with over 100 companies.Under its Action Plan, the accelerator has achieved substantial results, including research conducted on the costs and benefits of expanding paternity leave that led the government to introduce a two-week paternity leave allowance, one of the highest allowances in the region. Other achievements include the Éxito Group and the Ministry of Labour’s launch of the Equirutas tool to help companies and their suppliers adopt gender inclusive practices. The accelerator is also championing gender parity in male-dominated sectors and is working with 70 companies from the construction, mining, and energy sectors, and two leading business associations representing these industries to increase the number of women in their workforce by improving workplace conditions.

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## News and relevant documents

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### Public-private Initiative to Reduce the Gender Gap in Colombia


### Cost-Benefit Analysis on the Fiscal Impact of Expanding Paternity Leave in Colombia


## Accelerator leadership


## Members

*Browse and filter community members*


## Local Coordinator

Laura LodonoIniciativa de Paridad de Genero Technical Secretariat


*Partner organizations and sponsors*


### Join our accelerator

Find out how to get involved.

[Contact us](mailto:Julia.Hakspiel@weforum.org)