Katia Uriona Gamarra, gender and parity expert for the European Union-funded, ECES-implemented PRO Elección Bolivia project, participated as a guest speaker at the International Congress of Latin American Women and Indigenous Women: “Walking Towards Parity and Democracy”, held in Guatemala from 21 to 23 January. The high-level regional event brought together women leaders, electoral authorities, parliamentarians, civil society representatives, and indigenous organisations from across Latin America to reflect on advances, challenges, and future pathways toward democratic parity and inclusive governance.
The congress featured the participation of the Vice President of Guatemala, Karina Herrera, alongside representatives of numerous indigenous organisations, reinforcing the political relevance of the discussions and the commitment to strengthening women’s leadership and political participation in the region. Sessions focused on gender parity, democratic representation, and strategies to combat political violence against women, with a particular emphasis on indigenous women’s rights and leadership.
During the congress, ECES expert Katia Uriona shared her extensive experience as a former President of the Bolivian Electoral Supreme Court and a leading regional expert on democratic parity and the prevention of political violence against women. As the lead of the women’s political engagement component of the PRO Elección Bolivia project, she presented two substantive papers. The first highlighted lessons learned and good practices from Bolivia’s experience with parity and alternative mechanisms in electoral processes, offering concrete examples of institutional reforms and advocacy strategies. The second paper examined the current state, achievements, and ongoing challenges of parity across Latin America, particularly in a rapidly evolving political and social context.
In addition to her participation in the congress, Katia Uriona was invited to the National Congress of Guatemala, where she met with Representative Sonia Guzmán. The meeting provided an opportunity to exchange perspectives on legislative frameworks, regional cooperation, and strategies to strengthen gender parity and protect women from political harassment and violence. Her visit contributed to reinforcing dialogue between electoral experts, policymakers, and women leaders, underscoring the importance of regional collaboration in advancing democratic parity throughout Latin America.
26 January 2026
