Santiago, March 13, 2024

Dear Mr. Director:

We all want the education of our girls, boys and young people to be of quality and not depend on the place where they are born or their socioeconomic context. With a highly segregated system, this is a pending challenge in our country, and the reason for numerous inequalities. Quality education is a right and must be accessible to all people regardless of their gender, ethnicity or socioeconomic situation. For this reason, the objection of a group of deputies to paragraph 2 of Article 12 of the Comprehensive Law against violence against women is so striking, which indicates “promoting non-sexist education with gender equality and considering in “its internal regulations and protocols promote equality in the dignity of rights and the prevention of gender violence in all its forms.” It is necessary to understand that when we talk about non-sexist education with gender equality, we are referring to the development of emotional-social skills that allow for healthier and more respectful coexistence and interpersonal relationships, the appreciation of diversities and the full and comprehensive development of each person. Likewise, it encourages the permanent participation of all the people who make up the educational community, the fundamental axis being the experience of each and every one. In this way, it seeks to guarantee rights and expand opportunities, improving the quality of training.

To imply that non-sexist education violates the duty and preferential right of parents to educate their children and the freedom of education or that it violates essential rights that emanate from human nature is incomprehensible. We warn that the suppression of education with a gender perspective will postpone the configuration of a more just and sustainable future.

Elisa Araya, Rector Metropolitan University of Educational Sciences

Rosa Devés, Rector of the University of Chile

Marisol Durán, Rector of the Metropolitan Technological University

Fernanda Kri, Rector of O'Higgins University

Luperfina Rojas, Rector of the University of La Serena