South American countries have a reputation for being patriarchal. Men make the decisions, manage companies, lead countries, and women stay home to offer unconditional support to their husbands or work until they reach the notorious glass ceiling in the private and public sectors. Despite this stereotype, it would be no exaggeration to announce South America is going through a subtle change, silently shattering gender stereotypes and creating a space in the region where women can compete equally with men.
In the last five years, South America has elected three female presidents. The election of Dilma Rousseff underscores the advancement of Latin American women. President Rousseff is not only the first female to be elected President in Brazil; she also holds the mantle of leading an emerging power with aspirations of making an impact in the international stage. Brazil is experiencing an unprecedented moment in the country’s history. President Rousseff can be a footnote in South American history, or warrant a legacy similar to the likes of Britain’s Margaret Thatcher.
Before President Rouseff was elected in Brazil, Chile in 2006 elected not only the first female president in Chile, but the first in Latin America. This was a huge achievement for Chile, displaying progress and distancing democratic institutions from a dictatorship past at the hands of Pinochet.
In late 2007, Argentina followed suit by electing their first female president, Christina Fernandez de Kirchner, the wife of Argentina’s previous leader, the late Nestor Kirchner. Some may argue Isabel Peron was South America’s first president, which she was, but Madame Peron took over as president when her husband, then President Juan Domino Peron died in 1974. Isabel Peron however, was never elected.
Rouseff’s ascendancy to the presidency is unique. A former Marxist and member of various urban guerilla groups, in the 1970s Brazilian authorities captured her by chance. After realizing her involvement with political guerilla activity, they dubbed her a Joan of Arc to give their recent possession more importance and stature. When jailed, Rousseff was allegedly tortured by military authorities, and has spoken candidly about her brutal experience during court proceedings.
After her release from jail in 1972, she attended university and pursued a degree in economics. She coincidentally happens to be Brazil’s first economist president as well.
After completing her degree, Rouseff climbed the political mountain by practicing her trade in local and state governments. To this day, President Rouseff continues to defend her political roots, whether from political colleagues, Brazilian voters, or the investment community. Marxism, socialism, and guerilla activity, are not the highly touted buzzwords that you want on your resume when vying for the Brazilian presidency or acting as Brazil’s current president. Nevertheless, Rouseff has succeeded in transitioning her early radical political and economical thinking to a more pragmatic approach, to the center-left.
At the speed Brazil is growing economically, it would be prudent for President Rousseff not to implement drastic changes. But a paradox is present. Rousseff will want to add her own style but distance herself gradually from her predecessor, the much beloved ex-President Lula.
She faces many challenges: continuing Brazil’s economic growth, creating more jobs in the formal sector, curbing inflation from growing at an insurmountable rate, and controlling the strengthening of the Real, Brazil’s currency.
Some analysts believe a currency war is occurring, with Brazil being one of the main protagonists. Brazilian monetary officials are debating whether to triple the tax for foreigners buying Brazilian bonds.
Rouseff has other issues to address, such as poverty—especially extreme poverty—and income inequality. Despite Brazil making gains in establishing a robust middle class, poverty in the favelas has not disappeared and it remains a vital issue on President Rousseff’s agenda.
President Rousseff has already surprised local and foreign spectators. She distanced herself from Iran. Lula made it a priority to create to cultivate a relationship with the Iranian government. Lula was lauded for extending his hand to Iran in some corners of the world, but in Brazil and in many Western countries Lula was criticized for his fixation with Iran. President Rousseff is shutting the door to Iran by not endorsing Iran’s nuclear program and criticizing Lula for not taking a stance against Iran’s human rights abuses.
Lula was also condemned internationally for his remarks after Cuban activist Tamayo died due to a hunger strike. Because of her past as a jailed activist, Roussef is much more sympathetic to human right issues and champions ideals of natural freedom and liberties. Contrary to Lula, Rousseff has the opportunity to gain favor with South America if she is less sympathetic to the regimes of Cuba, Iran, and Venezuela.
When countries reach a certain level of political and economic power, more is expected of them and their actions and alliances become further scrutinized from within and abroad. In Brazil’s case, every footstep is watched through the microscope. Such is the price when you are identified as one of the leaders of the region and an emerging world power. President Rousseff has to be careful who she dances with, aware that domestic politics is obviously of fundamental importance, but being acute and tactful of Brazil’s image and role in its foreign policy.
Last October, USA TODAY ran an article covering Rousseff’s election victory. The reporter quoted a woman stating, “We’ve been waiting for this dream so long, it’s going to be the third term for Lula—except this time represented by a woman.” For the sake of Brazil and Rousseff, it is imperative that Rousseff lead as herself: Brazil’s first female president. It can be challenging to succeed a popular, and to a certain extent mythical, figure. In Colombia, President Santos encountered a similar bout of trying to rise above the legacy of ex-President Uribe—so far so good for President Santos.
It no longer matters if Rousseff won the elections from the coattails of Lula. What is important is that Rousseff leads Brazil to prosperity, for the benefit of South America, and of course, for the advancement of women in South America and beyond.
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Dilma Rouseff: The Second Coming of Lula or the Next South American Star?
March 6, 2011
South American countries have a reputation for being patriarchal. Men make the decisions, manage companies, lead countries, and women stay home to offer unconditional support to their husbands or work until they reach the notorious glass ceiling in the private and public sectors. Despite this stereotype, it would be no exaggeration to announce South America is going through a subtle change, silently shattering gender stereotypes and creating a space in the region where women can compete equally with men.
In the last five years, South America has elected three female presidents. The election of Dilma Rousseff underscores the advancement of Latin American women. President Rousseff is not only the first female to be elected President in Brazil; she also holds the mantle of leading an emerging power with aspirations of making an impact in the international stage. Brazil is experiencing an unprecedented moment in the country’s history. President Rousseff can be a footnote in South American history, or warrant a legacy similar to the likes of Britain’s Margaret Thatcher.
Before President Rouseff was elected in Brazil, Chile in 2006 elected not only the first female president in Chile, but the first in Latin America. This was a huge achievement for Chile, displaying progress and distancing democratic institutions from a dictatorship past at the hands of Pinochet.
In late 2007, Argentina followed suit by electing their first female president, Christina Fernandez de Kirchner, the wife of Argentina’s previous leader, the late Nestor Kirchner. Some may argue Isabel Peron was South America’s first president, which she was, but Madame Peron took over as president when her husband, then President Juan Domino Peron died in 1974. Isabel Peron however, was never elected.
Rouseff’s ascendancy to the presidency is unique. A former Marxist and member of various urban guerilla groups, in the 1970s Brazilian authorities captured her by chance. After realizing her involvement with political guerilla activity, they dubbed her a Joan of Arc to give their recent possession more importance and stature. When jailed, Rousseff was allegedly tortured by military authorities, and has spoken candidly about her brutal experience during court proceedings.
After her release from jail in 1972, she attended university and pursued a degree in economics. She coincidentally happens to be Brazil’s first economist president as well.
After completing her degree, Rouseff climbed the political mountain by practicing her trade in local and state governments. To this day, President Rouseff continues to defend her political roots, whether from political colleagues, Brazilian voters, or the investment community. Marxism, socialism, and guerilla activity, are not the highly touted buzzwords that you want on your resume when vying for the Brazilian presidency or acting as Brazil’s current president. Nevertheless, Rouseff has succeeded in transitioning her early radical political and economical thinking to a more pragmatic approach, to the center-left.
At the speed Brazil is growing economically, it would be prudent for President Rousseff not to implement drastic changes. But a paradox is present. Rousseff will want to add her own style but distance herself gradually from her predecessor, the much beloved ex-President Lula.
She faces many challenges: continuing Brazil’s economic growth, creating more jobs in the formal sector, curbing inflation from growing at an insurmountable rate, and controlling the strengthening of the Real, Brazil’s currency.
Some analysts believe a currency war is occurring, with Brazil being one of the main protagonists. Brazilian monetary officials are debating whether to triple the tax for foreigners buying Brazilian bonds.
Rouseff has other issues to address, such as poverty—especially extreme poverty—and income inequality. Despite Brazil making gains in establishing a robust middle class, poverty in the favelas has not disappeared and it remains a vital issue on President Rousseff’s agenda.
President Rousseff has already surprised local and foreign spectators. She distanced herself from Iran. Lula made it a priority to create to cultivate a relationship with the Iranian government. Lula was lauded for extending his hand to Iran in some corners of the world, but in Brazil and in many Western countries Lula was criticized for his fixation with Iran. President Rousseff is shutting the door to Iran by not endorsing Iran’s nuclear program and criticizing Lula for not taking a stance against Iran’s human rights abuses.
Lula was also condemned internationally for his remarks after Cuban activist Tamayo died due to a hunger strike. Because of her past as a jailed activist, Roussef is much more sympathetic to human right issues and champions ideals of natural freedom and liberties. Contrary to Lula, Rousseff has the opportunity to gain favor with South America if she is less sympathetic to the regimes of Cuba, Iran, and Venezuela.
When countries reach a certain level of political and economic power, more is expected of them and their actions and alliances become further scrutinized from within and abroad. In Brazil’s case, every footstep is watched through the microscope. Such is the price when you are identified as one of the leaders of the region and an emerging world power. President Rousseff has to be careful who she dances with, aware that domestic politics is obviously of fundamental importance, but being acute and tactful of Brazil’s image and role in its foreign policy.
Last October, USA TODAY ran an article covering Rousseff’s election victory. The reporter quoted a woman stating, “We’ve been waiting for this dream so long, it’s going to be the third term for Lula—except this time represented by a woman.” For the sake of Brazil and Rousseff, it is imperative that Rousseff lead as herself: Brazil’s first female president. It can be challenging to succeed a popular, and to a certain extent mythical, figure. In Colombia, President Santos encountered a similar bout of trying to rise above the legacy of ex-President Uribe—so far so good for President Santos.
It no longer matters if Rousseff won the elections from the coattails of Lula. What is important is that Rousseff leads Brazil to prosperity, for the benefit of South America, and of course, for the advancement of women in South America and beyond.
