Lula presents bill to combat wage inequality for women in Brazil

By Bala Chambers

BUENOS AIRES (AA) - Brazil's President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva presented a bill Wednesday to combat wage inequality affecting women in the South American country.

The bill seeks to draw a balance and make salaries between men and women who perform the same role equal by calling for the oversight of companies and greater transparency.

During a ceremony marking International Women's Day at the Planalto Palace in the capital Brasilia, Lula gave a speech underscoring women’s rights and respect for women.

He alleged that the previous government of Jair Bolsonaro “lacked respect when it opted for the destruction of public policies, cut essential budgetary resources and tacitly motivated violence against women.”

"I have the satisfaction to say to you all that Brazil is back. It is back to respecting women. It is back to combating discrimination, harassment, rape, femicide and all forms of violence against women.”

"Statistics show that every day – including this March 8, when we celebrate Women's Day – three Brazilian women are murdered for the simple fact of being women," added Lula, noting that a woman or girl is raped every 10 minutes in the country.

He noted that there are "many forms of violence against women" and called it a "duty of the state, and of society as a whole, to confront each one of them."

Last week, Minister of Planning and Budget Simone Tebet said companies failing to comply with legislation and equal pay for both genders would receive a hefty fine, according to news outlet Poder360.

Brazilian women workers typically earn 23% less than men, regardless of whether their educational level is higher, according to Human Rights Watch.