The Ship's Log: In Colombia, The Ministry of Equality is now a reality

The Ministry will be headed by Francia Márquez, the country's first Black vice president

Photo: Daniela Díaz R.

One of Gustavo Petro's flagship promises during his election campaign was the creation of a new ministry in Colombia: the Ministry of Equality and Equity. The new Ministry will have the power to create public policies and programs aimed at reducing the structural violence experienced by women, indigenous people, urban unhoused populations, and the elderly— all historically neglected or oppressed populations.

Vice-president Francia Márquez, who has a long history as a social leader dealing with exactly these issues, has been appointed to lead the new governmental body. The appointment will allow her to take a more central role in the administration beyond just VP, a position with ambiguous Constitutional powers.