Argentinean President Cristina Fernandez Imposes Collection of Welfare Payments for Women

President Cristina Fernandez of Argentina issued a decree that gives Argentinean women the opportunity to collect welfare money to support their families.

Responding to the urgent needs of women in Argentina, President Cristina Fernandez issued a decree that provides protection to women abandoned by their husbands and partners. The revised welfare program is expected to bring about a huge change in the country since it is the first of its kind to be implemented. The move was made to safeguard the welfare of Argentinean families.

Breakdown of the family unit

In the capital Buenos Aires, Andrea Nerone, a mother of four recently lost their abode after her husband left them last year. She was denied welfare and was forced to abandon their home because she is no longer able to pay rent. With no work, she and her children moved to a simple house owned by her mother. She was able to receive welfare benefits for a few months but this was terminated when the government determined that her husband is employed and is able to support the family. The government failed to recognize the fact that Andrea and her family were no longer in contact with the family breadwinner, and that no support was being extended to them at all.

A triumph

Aware of the difficult situation that many Argentinean women are facing, President Fernandez issued a decree that would help women like Andrea Nerone feel more protected and secure. After allotting a lot of money for vaccination of kids in Argentinean schools, she now turns her attention to the mothers of her country.

Fairness is a must

In a speech given by President Fernandez, she announced that the change in the social aid program was not intended to set aside the rights of men. She reiterated that it was implemented in order to protect and prioritize the needs of women and the children under their care. According to her, there have been a number of complaints regarding husbands abandoning their wives and children while they continue to receive welfare payments. This is the reason why the decree prompts that mothers receive the welfare payments instead of the fathers. However, in cases where the court grants custody of the children to the father, he will get the welfare payments instead.

The imposition of the new decree last month was viewed by the Argentine housewives union as a huge triumph for their cause. The decree recognized that the role of women in society is changing and stressed the importance of entrusting women with more responsibility.

Empowering women

The welfare payments provide about $85 per child and $278 for children with disability. The money is given monthly and about 80% of the whole payment is placed directly to the bank account of the beneficiary. The 20% that is left is paid annually to the families after they have proven that their children continued with schooling and got the necessary vaccinations.

The new decree has given women in a largely patriarchal society another important role besides raising children and doing household chores. According to Nora Lustig, a professor of Latin American economics at Tulane University in New Orleans, Louisiana, giving women the inherent responsibility to manage the family’s resources would ensure a proper dissemination of funds for basic needs such as food and clothing.

Photo Credit: Cristina Fernandez, President of Argentina