Argentina’s Far-Right President Scraps Diversity Ministry Days After Being Sworn In
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Argentina’s new far-right president, Javier Milei, wasted no time in implementing his conservative agenda. Just days after being sworn into office, Milei scrapped the country’s Diversity Ministry, which had been established in 2019 by previous president Alberto Fernández to combat LGBTQ+ abuse, gender violence, and other inequalities facing women and the LGBTQ+ community.
Milei, a self-identified “anarcho-capitalist,” won Argentina’s presidential election last month, beating left-wing Sergio Massa. He has been compared to former US President Donald Trump due to his conservative beliefs, including the abolition of abortion and the loosening of gun laws. Milei even adopted a similar slogan to Trump’s, pledging to “Make Argentina Great Again.”
One of Milei’s primary campaign promises was to cut state spending and eliminate government ministries that he deemed unnecessary. Along with the Diversity Ministry, he has also scrapped the Ministry of the Environment and Sustainable Development (as a climate change denier), the Ministry of Culture, the Ministry of Education (which he referred to as the “Ministry of Indoctrination”), the Ministry of Health, the Ministry of Labour, and the Ministry of Social Development.
The decision to eliminate the Ministry for Women, Gender, and Diversity has raised concerns among LGBTQ+ advocates and politicians in Argentina. The ministry was established to address issues such as LGBTQ+ abuse, gender violence, social exclusion of the transgender community, and other inequalities faced by women and LGBTQ+ people.
Congressman and activist Esteban Paulón expressed disappointment over this decision, stating that these policies are crucial in addressing gender inequalities and other issues affecting marginalized communities. Paulón emphasized that without institutional support and resources from the state, these important issues will be overlooked and society will not receive a clear message about their relevance.
Milei’s proposals prior to his election were already cause for concern. In addition to eliminating ministries, he called for a new referendum on the legality of abortion, the abolition of public health and education, and cuts to social welfare. While he has not explicitly spoken out against same-sex marriage, Milei has advocated for the removal of sex education from schools and has gained support from anti-LGBTQ+ pundits and organizations.
The move to dismantle the Diversity Ministry is seen by many as a step backward for LGBTQ+ rights in Argentina. The country has made significant progress in recent years, legalizing same-sex marriage in 2010 and passing laws to protect transgender rights. However, Milei’s actions indicate a potential shift in the country’s political climate, with LGBTQ+ advocates now facing an uphill battle to protect their rights and ensure equal treatment.
Critics argue that Milei’s decision to eliminate the Diversity Ministry is rooted in his conservative ideology and disregard for marginalized communities. They believe that his focus on cutting state spending is prioritizing economic interests over the well-being and rights of vulnerable populations.
As Argentina enters a new era under Milei’s leadership, LGBTQ+ activists and allies are gearing up for a fight to protect the progress that has been made. They are determined to ensure that the rights and needs of women and LGBTQ+ people continue to be addressed and prioritized, even in the face of a far-right government.
It remains to be seen how Milei’s presidency will unfold and what impact it will have on Argentina’s LGBTQ+ community. But one thing is clear: their fight for equality and inclusivity is far from over, and they are prepared to push back against any attempts to roll back their hard-won rights.
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