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Caring for Equality: Empowering Women in Uruguay

Women in uruguayIn December 2015, Uruguay passed Law 19.353, establishing the National Comprehensive Care System. This was the first law that pushed for gender equality and laid the framework for various positions of care as a right, not only for children under 3 but also for the elderly and people with disabilities.

The law, backed by the coordinated efforts of multiple ministries, regulated services, trained caregivers and public awareness initiatives aimed at rebalancing gender norms. The SNIC aims to challenge deeply entrenched gendered division of labor in Uruguay, where women disproportionately shoulder unpaid domestic and caregiving work.

SIEMPRE Centers: Redefining Care and Empowering Women

Uruguay’s National Comprehensive Care System, launched in 2021, introduced SIEMPRE Centers, which are early community childhood daycares with early-learning facilities managed by public, private and civil society partnerships, according to the March 2025 report. These centers offer up to eight hours of daily care and receive support from collaboration between trade unions, employers, communities and the Instituto Nacional de Niñas, Niños y Adolescentes (INAU).

Five components driving SIEMPRE’s impact are workshops for families comprising life and vocational skills like gastronomy (cooking), sewing, hairdressing, gardening and other crafts. These workshops aim to empower parents, primarily mothers, to increase their ability to pursue education or paid work due to freed-up time. Violence prevention is a welcome side-effect of SIEMPRE Centers, with staff often able to detect and respond to domestic or gender-based violence, boosting women’s physical safety, according to the March 2025 report. Lastly, centers help shift gender norms by providing crucial skills to young fathers like cooking and nursing, which are deep-rooted stereotypes assigned to women.

Legal Advances for Women

Legal framework and broader equality policies endorse key international women’s rights treaties and implement a progressive domestic legal framework. Notable laws include:

Supporting networks and civil society organizations like Mujer y Salud en Uruguay advocate for sexual and reproductive health and rights through public awareness campaigns. Uruguay XXI, an agency that promotes investment and exports, has advanced gender equality in its workforce. Fifty six percent of its 2024 “Más Comercio” mentoring targets were women-led businesses, and women hold about 58% of its leadership roles.

Driving Change

Further engagement, such as campaigns encouraging male caregivers, aims to break norms. For example, the MenCare Campaign engages men as fathers and caregivers to promote gender equality. Although progress is slow, Uruguay is making efforts to make SNIC a social service. By strengthening collective provision, Uruguay transforms care from a burden into a collective responsibility, which would validate unpaid work and reduce hidden gender costs.

SIEMPRE Centers often negotiate through collective bargaining involving unions, employers and the government. Union-business partnerships can produce systemic reforms.

Constant Obstacles

However, despite formal equality, significant challenges persist, like unequal representation. For instance, women hold about 28% of parliamentary seats and top leadership roles, one of the lowest levels in Latin America. Women endure the brunt of unpaid labor. About 61.4% of women are involved in unpaid work, compared to 35.9% of men, resulting in women dedicating their time to domestic chores and caregiving, limiting their opportunities.

While the SNIC made strides in guaranteeing women’s care, the lack of funds makes it difficult to expand its resources. The SNIC budget share for the past five years has been stagnant, resulting in limited ability to construct and expand new centers nationwide. Violence against women in Uruguay remains at one of the highest rates in Latin America, with about 77% of women over 15 experiencing some form of gender-based violence, according to a survey conducted by the United Nations Uruguay.

Looking Ahead

Uruguay’s SNIC is a bold, feminist-informed leap in public policy that directly confronts the gendered distribution of care and builds new pathways for women’s economic and social success. SIEMPRE Centers represent a strong frontline that provides care, economic empowerment, decision-making power, and violence prevention. Yet progress could halt without continued investment, cultural transformation, and stronger female representation.

– Sebastian Llerena

Sebastian is based in Edison, NJ, USA and focuses on Global Health for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

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Fighting Femicide in Uruguay

femicide uruguayGender-based violence claims the lives of 11 women every day in Latin America and the Caribbean, making it a regional crisis. Defined as the intentional murder of a woman with a gender-related motivation, femicide can occur under many different circumstances, including intimate or former partner violence, honour killings and human trafficking. In 2021, the femicide rate in Uruguay per 100,000 women ranked eighth out of 18 countries and territories in Latin America. However, both the Uruguayan government and civil society groups have taken legal action and preventative measures to fight femicide.

Ending Gender-Based Violence

In 2017, the government decided to take action against disturbing levels of femicide in Uruguay with various legal reforms. This included Law no. 19.580, which specifically recognizes and defines femicide as a crime whilst sentencing perpetrators more severely than those guilty of homicide. As a result of this shift in legal focus, the state launched the Observatorio de Violencia Basada en Género hacia las Mujeres (OVBG), which collects and monitors data regarding gender-based violence in Uruguay, and ProMujeres, a program that focuses on gender equality and women’s empowerment, under the Ministry of Social Development. Funded by the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB), ProMujeres aims to enhance the work of Inmujeres, Uruguay’s National Institute of Women, thanks to the allocation of new funding.

The work of Inmujeres

Inmujeres is responsible for overseeing the OVBG, as well as monitoring the implementation of Law no. 19.580 and providing various services for women at risk of femicide in Uruguay. Most of these services include legal support, temporary shelter and telephone counselling for victims of gender-based violence.

Between 2020 and 2024, the organization offered their services to 16,821 victims of gender-based violence, as well as supporting 175 women in situations of human trafficking in 2022.

Furthermore, in 2020, the government announced a $4 million increase in funding for electronic ankle bracelets designed to distance perpetrators from victims, thereby preventing future cases of femicide in Uruguay. Inmujeres is also working to avoid femicide in Uruguay by running a campaign in schools across the country, called Noviazgos Libres de Violencia. The youth-orientated project aims to break the intergenerational cycle of intimate and former partner violence and reached around 13,000 young people in 2022 alone.

Building a Network of Prevention, Support and Awareness

In addition to legal reforms and state-run programs, there are various civil society groups working to fight femicide in Uruguay in numerous ways.

Mujeres de Negro (Uruguay) has been raising awareness about femicide in Uruguay since 2006. Based in Montenegro but part of a wider international movement, Mujeres de Negro (Uruguay) organises silent protests in remembrance of victims, as well as publicly advocating against gender-based violence and denouncing discrimination.

Comuna Mujer is another Montevideo-based organization fighting femicide, operating 14 centres across the region where women at risk of gender-based violence can receive free and confidential services. These services include legal and psychosocial support to help women escape situations of gender-based violence. Comuna Mujer’s impact on women at risk of femicide in Montevideo has been crucial, as the organization provided services to 5,063 women and carried out 15,896 consultations between 2023 and 2024.

Whilst offering support services for victims is essential, the Uruguayan Network Against Domestic and Sexual Violence (RUCVDS)  focuses on the prevention of gender-based violence, and their work has been extremely impactful across Uruguay. The RUCVDS is composed of over 30 civil society groups with over 25 years of experience, running a range of projects catered towards the prevention, awareness and research of gender-based violence.

One of these projects includes the 2021 “Nunca Más a Mi Lado” campaign, which included the re-release of the song “No Te Va Gustar” in order to promote healthy relationships and raise awareness about the dangers of romanticizing abusive partnerships. The campaign spanned over ten years and involved 100 workshops, including sessions inside female prisons, and all of the proceeds from the song’s re-release went towards projects preventing domestic violence

Femicide in Uruguay: The Challenges and Gaps

Despite the great work of both the state and civil society groups, Uruguay has not been able to keep up with the increasing demand for supportive and preventative services related to gender-based violence, and female participation in positions of power continues to be low.

Although the legal reforms in 2017 signalled the prioritisation of femicide as an urgent issue in Uruguay, efforts to fully implement the law have not yet been completely successful, according to Amnesty International, mostly due to a lack of resources. It is also important to recognise that marginalised groups are at a higher risk of femicide in Uruguay, since 86% of afro-descendant women and 92.5% of LGBTQ+ women reported being victims of gender-based violence, which is much higher than the national average of 77%

The Future

Uruguay’s success in its approach to fighting femicide lies in its decision to invest in prevention and monitoring, instead of just focusing solely on punishment. The eradication of femicide is a complex process, but with the investment of more time and resources, Uruguay is on the right track.

– Clodagh Dowson

Clodagh is based in Bradford on Avon, UK and focuses on Global Health and Politics for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

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Yamandú Orsi’s Plan to Reduce Child Poverty in Uruguay

Poverty in UruguayIn a continent of continual crisis, Uruguay is an outlier. The Latin American country has been a success story in recent years, boasting a lower poverty rate than the U.S. However, while previous governments have helped reduce poverty in Uruguay to a low level, the newly elected president, Yamandú Orsi, still faces several challenges surrounding poverty in the country.

About Yamandú Orsi

On March 1, Orsi took office for the first time, a remarkable achievement for someone from humble beginnings. Orsi, 57, grew up in a house without electricity in rural Uruguay before moving to the Canelones region, where he found political success. He served as intendant (like a mayor) of Canelones from 2015 to 2024. In November 2024, Orsi secured his most significant political victory by winning the Uruguayan presidency as a candidate for the Broad Front, a left-wing coalition.

A Country of the Future

Unlike many of its South American counterparts, Uruguay is widely seen as a success story. Since returning to civilian rule in 1985, the country has prioritized financial stability, economic growth and progressive policies. It has also emphasized sustainability, with approximately 93% of its electricity coming from renewable sources.

The previous president’s attempts at reducing poverty in Uruguay have proven to be largely successful, with the country holding a 10.4% monetary poverty rate, according to the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF). While the low poverty rate is a success, the reduction in the poverty rate has slowed in recent years, something that Orsi will look to address.

Child Poverty and Gender Inequality in Uruguay

Poverty in Uruguay remains relatively low. However, the same cannot be said for the child poverty rate. According to UNICEF, the rate is estimated at 19.4%, nearly double that of the national poverty rate. Uruguay’s child poverty issue is also inherently gendered, with the World Bank estimating that 71.8% of needy children live in female-led households. The cause of such high child poverty rates has been attributed to COVID-19 and unemployment within the country. 

However, Orsi has pledged to expand the existing “Bono Crianza” scheme to alleviate this issue. The policy aims to improve the income and financial security of “households in situations of extreme socioeconomic vulnerability where pregnant women and/or children from 0 to 3 years old reside.”

Expanding this scheme will undoubtedly reduce child poverty in Uruguay. It will reach more and more parents in need of additional income, many of those being female-led households. Additionally, Orsi is also looking to raise social spending to “generate employment opportunities for young people.”

Poverty in Uruguay: Little Action as Positive Action

With Uruguay being a success story over the last few decades, Orsi is not looking to make wide scale changes. His plan to reduce poverty is derived from making subtle changes to the system rather than starting afresh. Through these subtle changes, Orsi will hope to bring down both the monetary and child poverty rates. Further emphasizing the impressive development that Uruguay has undergone since the 1980s.

– Andrew Nicoll

Andrew is based in Long Melford, UK and focuses on Business and Politics for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

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New Data Center Threatens Further Water Scarcity in Uruguay

Water Scarcity in UruguayUruguay, a republic located in South America, has spent the past several months recovering from a drought that lasted more than three years. The drought was severe, to the point where authorities were mixing seawater with freshwater to try and amend the problem— accidentally rendering it completely undrinkable in the process. While things have gotten much better amid more rainfall and administration changes, water scarcity in Uruguay remains a concern for its citizens due to the construction of data centers. These data centers are projected to use unsustainable amounts of water.

What Is a Data Center?

Most internet netizens are familiar with “the Cloud,” where users can remotely store data instead of keeping it on their devices. This data cannot just be nebulously stored on the internet, though; it has to go somewhere physical to be stored. Data centers are the answer to this, containing warehouses of servers that process and house cloud data along with the machines that help make AI technology work.

These computers need lots of water to stay cool with a typical data center using an average of 300,000 gallons of water a day. Some data centers can even use upwards of a million gallons of water a day. Since the process of cooling down computers heats the water, it cannot be dumped back into the systems where it came from since thermal pollution has been known to destroy entire ecosystems.

This process also has the potential to leave chemicals or other impurities that render the water unfit for human consumption. Many worry that the introduction of this technology in Uruguay could prove catastrophic, given the water scarcity in Uruguay.

The Effect on Uruguay

Water scarcity in Uruguay continues to be a prime concern for its citizens and the announcement of a new data center only further exacerbated these concerns. The initial announcement drew so much controversy that many locals took to the catchphrase “It’s not drought, it’s pillage” amid protests. Experts also worry about the long-term ramifications of data centers posing a drain on Uruguay’s very limited water supply.

While the country is still recovering from the prior drought, the insecurity and ecological decimation it brought can still be felt in many areas. A new proposal for the data center was created, with an emphasis on using air conditioning to cool the computers instead of water. Unfortunately, academics conclude this would be just as damaging environmentally. While it is true the amount of water would be lessened, the air pollution and stress on the electrical grid far outweigh any good proposed by the new solution.

Advancements in Technology

Data centers use large amounts of electricity and water to operate, but this does not have to be a negative thing due to recent advancements. Many data centers have turned to using reclaimed wastewater or sewage, to cool their systems instead of relying on drinkable water. Other companies have proposed the idea of recycling the water used in data centers to create a self-sufficient model of water usage.

Advancements such as these would greatly lessen the impact on drinkable water if implemented in Uruguay. Google, the company building and operating the data centers, has been vocal about not wanting to harm Uruguay through the creation of the data center. On the contrary, Google has offered to collaborate with local universities to provide more technology-focused content in their curriculums in order to bolster Uruguay’s tech business and advancements.

Moving Forward

While Uruguay continues to recover from prior droughts, water scarcity in Uruguay continues to be an issue for it. Many worry that the creation of a data center continues to threaten Uruguay’s water supply. However, recent technological advancements and renewed promises for compromise between Google and the Uruguayan people offer a brighter future moving forward.

– Mackenzie Scott

Mackenzie is based in Indianapolis, IN, USA and focuses on Technology and Solutions for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

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Elderly Poverty in Uruguay: Lowest Rate in Latin America

Elderly Poverty in Uruguay
Elderly poverty in Uruguay presents extreme challenges for individuals and society. Although Uruguay leads the region in social welfare and maintains one of Latin America’s lowest elderly poverty rates of 2.2%, gaps in the nation’s safety nets reveal ongoing struggles. This article explores the overlooked realities of elderly poverty in Uruguay and examines its impact on social isolation, mental well-being and the growing strain on the country’s renowned social security system.

Why Elderly Poverty in Uruguay Exists

Social isolation often compounds these difficulties, as financial constraints can limit mobility and access to community resources, leaving many elderly individuals feeling disconnected and unsupported. While programs like the Non-Contributory Pension provide vital assistance, some seniors still rely on family support or informal work. These challenges highlight the need for continued investment in social protection and targeted initiatives to address the unique vulnerabilities of Uruguay’s aging population.

Considering that one in four elderly individuals in the country lives alone, the issue of social isolation becomes an increased risk. Living alone often exacerbates feelings of loneliness and disconnect, particularly for those already struggling with limited mobility or financial constraints. Addressing this issue requires not only expanding economic assistance but also fostering a more inclusive social environment that ensures all elderly individuals can age with dignity, connection and support.

The Overlooked Realities

Uruguay’s relatively low elderly poverty rate in Latin America does not eliminate the significant consequences of this issue. The country’s robust social security system and progressive policies aim to support its aging population. However, even in a nation lauded for its social safety nets, elderly poverty still affects many individuals and creates far-reaching problems.

Limited financial resources often force elderly individuals to live in inadequate housing. Additionally, social isolation, often a byproduct of financial hardship, undermines their mental and emotional well-being which leads many to navigate their golden years in loneliness and insecurity. These realities impact not only individuals but also strain Uruguay’s social infrastructure. This demonstrates the need for focused strategies to address the unique challenges that elderly poverty in Uruguay poses.

The PNC’s Impactful Programs

Uruguay significantly reduced its elderly poverty rate through pioneering social protection programs such as the Non-Contributory Pension for the Elderly and Disabled (PNC). Established in 1919, this initiative provides critical financial support to individuals over 70 and those with disabilities who lack the means to cover basic living expenses. The Banco de Previsión Social (BPS) administers the program, which ensures a monthly cash benefit of $135 for eligible recipients. This offers a lifeline to the most vulnerable.

Two decades later, Uruguay continues demonstrating its commitment to social protection. By 2022, the elderly poverty in Uruguay dropped to just 2.2%. Remarkably, this low rate exists alongside a significant elderly population, as 17.3% of Uruguay’s residents fall within the age of 65 or older. This proportion ranks remarkably high among other countries. In perspective, the United States stands at 16.5% while Canada is at 16.3%.

Additionally, Uruguay’s dual pension system combines mandatory savings for higher earners with non-contributory support for those in need, creating economic stability for its aging population. With social security spending accounting for 8.7% of the GDP as of 2012, the PNC not only reflects Uruguay’s strong political commitment to income security but also serves as a model for addressing elderly poverty across Latin America.

In contrast, 29% of Latin America’s population lived in poverty in 2022, including 11.2% experiencing extreme poverty. These challenges disproportionately affect women, indigenous communities and rural populations, highlighting the need for strategies like Uruguay’s to alleviate poverty among seniors.

Empowering Elders to Avoid Isolation

Social isolation deeply harms mental health, often leading to loneliness, anxiety and depression. Prolonged isolation increases risks of cognitive decline, weakens immune systems, and raises the likelihood of substance abuse.

On a societal level, social isolation undermines social infrastructure by weakening community bonds, reducing civic engagement and diminishing the collective sense of trust and support. This erosion of social cohesion can lead to less effective collaboration in addressing shared challenges, from economic inequality to public health crises.

There are some countries reporting that up to one in three older people feel lonely. With the likeliness of this, investing in initiatives that foster connection and inclusivity is essential not only for individual well-being but also for maintaining a resilient and thriving society.

Latin America’s Most Robust Social Welfare System

Uruguay’s social security system, considered one of Latin America’s most comprehensive, supports nearly 90% of the elderly population through a mixed system of public and private schemes. In 2018, social security spending accounted for 11% of Uruguay’s GDP, surpassing funding for sectors like health and education.

Despite the challenges, this robust welfare system highlights the commitment to reduce elderly poverty in Uruguay by showcasing the potential of comprehensive social welfare frameworks. However, experts and policymakers, stress the urgent need for reform—such as raising the retirement age and recalibrating pension formulas—to ensure long-term stability.

While these reforms face political resistance and public opposition with 69% of Uruguayans opposing the raise of retirement age, they are crucial for maintaining Uruguay’s pioneering social welfare model, which has become a cornerstone of the nation’s commitment to addressing elderly poverty.

How Other Countries Can Reduce Elderly Poverty

Uruguay’s approach to addressing elderly poverty offers valuable lessons for nations aiming to build robust social welfare systems. Its combination of non-contributory pensions for the most vulnerable and mandatory savings for higher earners ensures broad coverage while mitigating economic disparity among seniors.

Other nations could adopt similar policies by implementing means-tested financial support programs and promoting inclusive pension systems. Additionally, initiatives aimed at reducing social isolation—such as community centers, digital literacy programs and intergenerational projects—can help protect the mental and emotional well-being of older adults. By allocating meaningful resources to social security, governments can reduce elderly poverty, strengthen social cohesion, and create a more equitable society where aging populations receive the dignity and care they deserve.

– Bailie Cross

Bailie is based in Pensacola, FL, USA and focuses on Global Health for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

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Uruguay’s Water Crisis

Uruguay's Water CrisisDespite championing itself as the first country to enshrine the right to clean drinking water in its constitution, Uruguay has had a tumultuous relationship with water in the last few years. Uruguay’s water crisis, which began in 2018 and was triggered by severe droughts and a lack of rainfall, combined with poor government management and crisis response, reached a dangerous peak in the winter of 2023. Given Uruguay’s reliance on agricultural exports, this threatened the availability of safe drinking water, public health and economic productivity.

Thankfully, Uruguay’s water crisis ended in August 2023, with heavy rainfall and efforts by the government and international organizations to help replenish depleted supplies. However, this does not mean that policymakers in Montevideo can sit back and relax. On the contrary, efforts to improve infrastructure and protect water sources must be continued so that the country does not find itself in the same situation soon.

Why Was There a Water Crisis in Uruguay?

Many blame climate instability for Uruguay’s water crisis. The “La Niña” weather phenomenon contributed to rising temperatures and worsening droughts, persisting much longer than in the past. However, many argue that the climate emergency alone cannot be blamed. Poor government planning in the wake of these meteorological changes greatly worsened the effects of global warming.

It meant that Uruguay quickly found itself in a very vulnerable position. Water resource exploitation is very high in Uruguay; around 80% of freshwater is dedicated to farming and agriculture, limiting the amount of water for personal use. The government’s priority has been using water for “productive activities- agriculture, irrigation and big industry” and sufficient measures were not taken to prevent Uruguay’s water crisis.

Additionally, there was a historic lack of progress regarding water infrastructure projects. Before the crisis, the most recent reform to the waterways took place in 1987, as there has been a clear lack of political incentives to pursue projects to improve water infrastructure until now. For example, ex-president José Mujica proposed the Casupá Project in 2013, “which would have been able to fulfill 70% of Montevideo’s demand.” However, this program never came to fruition, as successive administrations made no moves to make it a reality.

What Were the Impacts of the Water Crisis?

Uruguay’s water crisis spelled trouble for its citizens, specifically for those living in Montevideo (home to around one-third of the total population). The Paso Severino Reservoir, the capital city’s main water source, reached around 1.7% of its total capacity in July 2023. In response to this scarcity, the State Sanitary Works Administration took water from sources near the River Plate, much more brackish than water from the reservoirs.

Although it was deemed safe, sick people and pregnant women were advised not to drink it. The sodium and chloride levels of the water pumped through the taps “exceeded what the World Health Organization considers safe for human consumption.” Bottled water was available and made exempt from taxes, but these quickly became scarce, partly due to panic-buying. The government provided free bottles to the most impoverished communities in affected areas.

Uruguay’s water crisis also had a significant impact on agricultural production. This sector accounts for around 7% of the nation’s gross domestic product (GDP) and 70% of total exports. The lack of water greatly affects agricultural output, especially between the end of 2022 and the beginning of 2023, “when it declined by 25% on a year-on-year basis.” The lack of water hit soybean production and cattle farming the hardest.

Another significant consequence of Uruguay’s water crisis was the growing political unrest due to poor drinking water quality and negative public perceptions of President Lacalle’s emergency response. Around 60% of the population was affected by the government’s decision to reroute water from rivers for public consumption, with the most vulnerable groups being especially affected. Around 63% of the population condemned the government’s response to the drought, with organized protests and campaigners shouting, “¡No es sequia, es saqueo! — It’s not drought, it’s pillage!”

What Was the Government’s Response?

Short-term solutions were enacted at the height of the drought to address immediate needs. Similarly, the government embarked on a long-term strategy to manage the current emergency and prevent future occurrences. Vowing it is “committed to improving the country’s water infrastructure and resilience to drought,” the government invested $500 million into plans to improve Uruguay’s waterways.

These included renovating sanitation systems, constructing another potable water source for the capital city and more reservoirs and desalination plants. There are also plans to repair damaged pipes to reduce water losses, with reports indicating that around 50% of the state-owned water company’s potable water supplies were lost due to leaks. The company has proposed a plan to reduce this by 25% in the next two decades.

What Role Have International Organizations Played?

During the crisis, the government also called on the Uruguayan Red Cross to help deal with demand and support plans to mitigate the consequences of shortages. The Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) also approved a $200 million loan “to support a program in Uruguay to boost water security and environmental sustainability.”

This loan aimed to improve water resource management and solid waste management to minimize contamination of potential future drinking water sources. Also, the IDB investment helped to improve Uruguay’s crisis responses, boosting resilience to changing weather dynamics alongside government refurbishments of its water systems.

Final Note

President Luis Lacalle Pou announced the end of the water crisis in August 2023 after three years of shortages and drinking water scarcity. This was mostly due to heavy rainfall in the region, which helped to refill water sources that were gravely depleted. However, the repairs to the water systems and programs to improve water security and management will hopefully pay dividends in the future, protecting Uruguay from the same situation.

– Ciara Howard

Ciara is based in Brighton, UK and focuses on Good News and Global Health for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Pxhere

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The Evolution of Uruguay’s Technological Infrastructure

Uruguay’s technological infrastructureUruguay boasts a technology literacy rate of more than 98%, the highest in South America, with telecommunications networks that are 100% digital. Between 2021 and 2022, Uruguay’s imports of IT and telecommunications equipment surged from $549 million to $706 million. Here are some key factors in Uruguay’s technological infrastructure that have earned it the name “Silicon Valley of South America.”

Expanding Fiber Optic Infrastructure in Rural Areas

In 2021 and 2022, ANTEL, Uruguay’s largest telecommunications company, invested $161 million into the country’s telecommunication sector, with 80% of that allocated to expanding fiber optic infrastructure in rural areas. ANTEL currently holds 57% of the market share, followed by Spain’s Telefónica/Movistar with 26% and Mexico’s Claro with 17%. The company is focused on replacing outdated copper connections with fiber optic technology. This aims to improve and strengthen internet access, particularly in the country’s rural regions.

The 2025 Digital Agenda

In May of 2021, Uruguay approved a guideline for further digital developments called the “2025 Digital Agenda,” which is managed by the Knowledge Management Agency. This will open doors to more opportunities for hardware and software providers, as well as telecommunication and network service companies. The basis of the plan is to expand the “fiber-to-the-home” networks to remote locations.  Additionally, the plan looks to increase the range of 5G networks and new digital health services.

Programa Ibirapitá

This program in Uruguay focuses on the digital inclusion of older adults, aiming to improve social inclusion, participation and equity. Through workshops designed to increase digital literacy and consultations, the initiative empowers elderly individuals. The program specifically targets individuals aged 65 and above whose annual income is at most $30,885. These participants are granted access to mobile devices through the Ibirapitá Mobile Plan, a service provided by ANTEL, which helps bridge the digital divide and fosters greater connectivity and independence for older adults.

Plan Ceibal

In 2007, Uruguay launched a program aimed at promoting nationwide digital literacy and skill development by providing each student with access to a laptop in school. This initiative became a key part of the country’s education strategy. Furthermore, it has been supported by tax incentives for tech companies and significant investments in communications infrastructure. Furthermore, the program has helped bridge the digital divide and enhance technological skills among students across the country.

Looking Ahead

Uruguay’s next step in its technological evolution is focusing on the “Internet of Things” (IoT). Development will be driven by both public and private stakeholders. Indeed, these efforts are taking place in the “Open Digital Lab,” a dedicated test space for IoT technologies and their applications. As the country continues to grow and expand its technological capabilities, discussions around artificial intelligence (AI) and robotics have become more prevalent, reflecting Uruguay’s ongoing push to enhance its telecommunications infrastructure and embrace emerging technologies.

– Isabella Chavez

Isabella is based in Swampscott, MA, USA and focuses on Technology and Solutions for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Wikimedia Commons

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Protecting the Children of Uruguay

Children of Uruguay Uruguay boasts one of the lowest poverty rates and the third-highest GDP in Latin America, yet despite its relative success, the government continues to fail its most vulnerable citizens. Children from low-income households face danger at every turn — sexual exploitation, food insecurity, homelessness, violence and child labor. While Uruguayan policy has begun to address these preventable and amenable injustices, it has yet to achieve the necessary depth of impact to create lasting, sustainable change for the children of Uruguay.

Poverty and Displacement

An underprivileged child in Uruguay faces immense distress in their critical developmental years, which can potentially cause irreparable, lifelong damage. In 2020, children ages 0 to 5 were nine times more likely to live in poverty than a person more than 65. Some fall asleep in the streets to the sound of their gurgling, empty stomachs, a situation that the COVID-19 Pandemic exacerbated. Amid the outbreak, hundreds of Uruguayan families lost their homes; some took refuge in emergency shelters, while others had no choice but to camp along hazardous roadsides.

Adolescent Vulnerability and Government Efforts

Displaced and houseless families could no longer afford nutritious food. Their children, left to fend for themselves, fell subject to acutely precarious situations. In 2018, an estimated 45% of prisoners in Uruguay were adolescents, primarily young men caught in the crosshairs of drug trafficking and sexual exploitation. Juvenile detention centers, where many of these adolescents end up, offer no respite from tumultuous lives at home; in fact, conditions may be far worse, exposing kids to torture and extreme isolation. While the government has attempted to instate more scrupulous child abuse detection tools, their effort has not gone far enough. In 2016, Uruguay attempted to crack down on child abuse at its borders, which was largely fruitless. 

Humanitarian Organizations and Child Protection

Fortunately, humanitarian groups like UNICEF have been instrumental in Uruguay’s fight against childhood poverty and abuse. With the support of UNICEF and the Ministry of Social Development, the government has strengthened its protection and support for migrant children, adolescents and families through the 24-hour Casa Trampolín care center. Furthermore, in collaboration with the World Health Organization (WHO), UNICEF provides reliable access to clean water in Uruguay and other countries through its Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) program.

Moving Forward

As Uruguay enhances its child protection services, UNICEF plays a critical role as a key partner. The organization has collaborated with the government to develop and implement a policy aimed at adolescent mental health. Additionally, UNICEF is working with the Protection of Children and Adolescents against Violence to relaunch training strategies based on the national model for addressing violence against children and adolescents. These ongoing efforts aim to protect numerous children in Uruguay from abuse and suffering.

– Natalie Kaufman

Natalie is based in Orlando, FL, USA and focuses on Good News and Global Health for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr