Family Futures

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onfronting

amily

overty

poration of a female head of household in the world of work

also requires support and coordination from all members of

the family group.

One of the pillars of the Ethical Family Income aims to

enhance and recognize the role of women in combating

poverty within the family. For this reason, one of its essential

components is the Female Employment Bonus, awarded to

vulnerable female heads of household entering the world of

work. In addition, their employers receive a subsidy, creating

an incentive to recruit women in a situation of poverty.

In Chile, many single-parent households are families with

few resources, in which women face the challenge of provid-

ing for their families. Accordingly, in addition to encouraging

paid work outside the home, the Government has adopted a

series of public policies to support women’s work, includ-

ing extended hours and extended coverage for crèches and

kindergartens. The goal is to support the most vulnerable

families and allow them to work without neglecting their chil-

dren. Similarly, the Government is awaiting approval of draft

legislation on the provision of monetary support to families

with three or more children, which will boost the birth rate

and provide a network of social benefits enabling these fami-

lies to maintain a good quality of life.

As mentioned earlier, the Ethical Family Income also

highlights the value of education and work as basic tools for

overcoming poverty, always taking into account the compo-

sition and particular needs of each family. However, if we

want all families to have the same opportunities, it is crucial

to take into account their differences and specific require-

ments. In this regard, the programme is designed to improve

the quality of life of families, on the understanding that they

are the foundation of society and that, if they have access to

better opportunities and more benefits, they will be able to

improve themselves and thus build a better country.

As a Government, we are convinced that families can

achieve sustainable development over time only if they have

the knowledge and skills to increase their income, together

with state support and a range of opportunities helping them

to overcome poverty. We know that poverty is a challenge

facing not only the state, but also civil society. Above all, it is a

challenge for the families themselves who are in this situation,

since they are the ones who write their own story.

For this reason, our Government is also strongly commit-

ted to entrepreneurship, which is a powerful weapon against

poverty, allowing people to acquire skills and supplies to

develop a reliable source of income. In conjunction with the

Fund for Solidarity and Social Investment, we have encour-

aged programmes that give people the capital to purchase the

supplies needed to start up or expand a business, as well as

advice and guidance on the development of business plans.

Consequently, the Government has concentrated on achieving

a permanent form of poverty relief through a comprehensive

and high-quality programme that expands the definition of

vulnerability to include people who really need support from

the Government, through the Ethical Family Income.

With this programme and, importantly, with the participa-

tion and support of a sympathetic state, we hope to empower

families to know their capacities and skills and to make them

their best tools for permanently overcoming their situation of

poverty. This is the best legacy that we can leave as a govern-

ment, since the Ethical Family Income is not merely a welfare

policy. Its effect will be felt over time and will enable families

truly to surpass themselves, to improve their quality of life

and to leave poverty behind.

Recipients of the Well Child Check-up Bonus, one of the payments that

rewards commitment and accountability in Chile’s most vulnerable families

The Ethical Family Income programme empowers families like this one to

build their capacities and skills to permanently overcome poverty

Image: Ministry of Social Development