Bill 162.

Summary.

The bill establishes a framework to promote and ensure the economic empowerment of Indigenous women in Panama through programs and policies aimed at their participation in the national economy. It defines economic empowerment, economic autonomy, sustainable development, gender equality, and cultural rights. It also defines free, prior and informed consultation and consent as the right of Indigenous peoples and communities to be consulted and to give consent before projects affecting their territories and resources, and describes business incubators as programs providing technical, financial, and logistical support. It covers women of the Gunadule, Emberá, Wounaan, Ngiibe, Buglé, Naso Tjerdi, and Bri Bri peoples. It would benefit all Indigenous women in the country, giving priority to those living in comarcas, adjacent areas, collective lands, and urban Indigenous communities.

For education and training, the State would implement programs in entrepreneurial, soft, financial, and appropriate technical skills to improve employment and entrepreneurship opportunities. It would also develop short cycle higher education. The bill provides for accessible financing mechanisms, including grants and investment funds, to support productive projects and enterprises. To promote entrepreneurship, it calls for business incubators, cooperative activity, and business plans in tourism and hospitality, gastronomy, family farming, crafts, and technology, accompanied by technical advice and access to domestic and international markets.

On employment, the bill proposes to protect Indigenous women's labor rights through dignified and equitable working conditions and equal opportunities. It also encourages their participation in decisions at the local, regional, and national levels and their representation on bodies and committees concerned with economic and social development. It establishes the National Commission for the Economic Empowerment of Indigenous Women (Comisión Nacional de Empoderamiento Económico de las Mujeres Indígenas) to coordinate, supervise, and evaluate the proposed programs and policies. The National Commission would periodically assess their impact and submit annual reports to the Ministry of Women (Ministerio de la Mujer) on progress and challenges in implementation.

Implementation funding would come from budgets allocated to the relevant ministries and governmental and nongovernmental entities, as well as international funds and donations. The Ministry of Women would have no more than six months after promulgation to issue implementing regulations. The bill sets its entry into force for the day after promulgation. By subject matter, the proposal concerns the Ministry of Women and the National Commission for the Economic Empowerment of Indigenous Women and could be of interest to Indigenous communities, cooperatives, entrepreneurs, employers, and the tourism, hospitality, gastronomy, family farming, crafts, and technology sectors.