CEO's bench accuses gender bias in Kast cabinet changes after Duco's departure

The departure of former Sports Minister Natalia Duco has sparked accusations of gender bias within the cabinet reshuffles under President José Antonio Kast’s administration. The accusation comes from the parliamentary bloc of the Party of the People (PDG), which claims that women ministers who have left the government have been systematically replaced by men. Duco resigned from her position on August 13 after facing allegations related to the misuse of a state vehicle, a situation complicated by a video released by El Deportivo that implicated her. She was succeeded by Francisco Riveros, a lawyer with prior experience as an advisor to Kast and a former executive at the football club Palestino. Duco's exit follows similar cases involving two other female ministers: Mara Sedini and Trinidad Steinert, both of whom were removed from their roles in the Ministry of Government and Security, respectively. Their positions were filled by male appointees, Claudio Alvarado and Martín Arrau. According to PDG lawmakers Pamela Jiles and Paula Olmos, this pattern suggests a double standard in how male and female officials are treated within the administration. They pointed out that while male ministers have faced issues without being removed, female ministers seem to bear the brunt of consequences for similar or lesser infractions. Jiles criticized the apparent disparity, noting that male ministers often remain in office despite lapses in protocol or oversight. She cited an example where a minister forgot to notify the Interior Minister before submitting a presentation to the Constitutional Court, an oversight that did not result in removal. In contrast, she argued, female ministers face harsher scrutiny and quicker dismissal. “We have known of other serious problems among male ministers and politicians in the government,” she said. “It seems only women pay for their mistakes.” Olmos echoed these concerns, questioning why male replacements are consistently chosen whenever a woman leaves a powerful position. She emphasized that such decisions reflect deeper structural inequalities in political power distribution. “Every time a female minister leaves the government and is replaced by a man, we are not just talking about a name change,” she said. “We’re talking about who holds power and makes decisions in our country. If we truly want to move toward an equal society, parity and representation must be more than rhetoric, they need to be reflected in real actions.” President Kast addressed Duco’s resignation during the official ceremony where Riveros was introduced as the new sports minister. He praised Duco’s work over her five months in office, acknowledging her dedication and contributions to Chile’s Olympic youth games bid. However, he did not elaborate on the specific reasons behind her departure, instead stating that everyone can make errors, and some regulations are strict and difficult to navigate. “It is an error anyone can make,” he said. “Sometimes those who should advise us don’t. When that happens, one must make difficult, painful decisions, but that does not diminish respect for those who have given everything.” Riveros, who previously served as an advisor to Kast and worked with the president’s chief of staff, Alejandro Irarrázaval, brings a legal and administrative background to his new role. Before entering politics, he held leadership positions at Palestino and worked as a corporate legal officer for Santiago 2023, the organization responsible for hosting the Pan American Games. The controversy surrounding Duco’s departure highlights ongoing debates about gender equality in Chilean politics. While the government maintains that appointments are based on merit and necessity, critics argue that systemic biases persist in how officials are evaluated and replaced. The PDG continues to push for greater transparency and accountability, emphasizing that true progress toward gender equity requires more than symbolic gestures, it demands tangible changes in policy and practice. The issue has drawn attention from media outlets and civil society groups, many of whom are monitoring whether the government will address these concerns publicly. Meanwhile, Riveros begins his tenure as sports minister, tasked with addressing challenges in Chile’s sports sector, including coordination issues between different agencies and the need for improved governance structures. His appointment marks a shift in leadership for the ministry, though its long-term impact remains to be seen.