by Alejandra del Palacio

Governments of Latin American countries and local organizations on Monday celebrated International Women's Day, all pledging to promote gender equality and women's social status.

Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez congratulated all women in Venezuela and around the world on the event, saying "the liberation of women is an essential part of the country's liberation."

During an official event, Chavez said that the fight for women's rights in Venezuela is only possible under the socialist regime while under other political systems, it will remain mere "fiction."

Costa Rican President-elect Laura Chinchilla pledged to improve the living conditions of women from the first day of her administration.

Chinchilla told local broadcasting station "Radio Monumental" that her administration will fight against inequality, discrimination and domestic violence women face. Her administration will also help women care for children, the sick and the elderly.

Panamanian women face a higher unemployment rate than men, at 8.9 percent and 5.1 percent respectively, the Panamanian People's Defender pointed out. Meanwhile, violence against women has been increasing nationwide since 2008.

The Defender demanded authorities enforce the New Penal Process Code, which includes 21 protection measures for guaranteeing women's security.

Peruvian Minister of Women and Social Development Nidia Vilchez said that women "mark their difference by joining the fight for surviving and advance everyday. We want women to join in politics, because with their vision and feminine feeling, we can achieve better public policies in favor of women."

During a public event in Quito, Ecuadorian President Rafael Correa stressed that women play an important role both in social development and the country's liberation.

Bolivian President Evo Morales urged women to win a place in society on their own.

"I congratulate all the Bolivian women on their International Day. I want to say that women's participation with equality in the society should not be issued by norms and laws; that depends on you (women) to continue the tireless struggle to win places," Morales said.

In Cuba, activities were organized in schools and working places around the country to celebrate International Women's Day. Secretary General of the Cuban Women's Federation Yolanda Ferrer said that her country fulfils the strict international obligations regarding women.

According to official figures in Cuba, women make up 46.7 percent of the workforce, 67 percent of university graduates and 65.7 percent of technicians and professionals.

In the Dominican Republic, the Women's Ministry decorated 10 women for their contributions to society at an event hosted by President Leonel Fernandez in the National Palace.

The women were awarded for their achievements in education, politics, sports, community, business, science and technology as well as other fields.

In Mexico, the National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM) awarded the "Sor Juana Ines de la Cruz" Recognition to 77 female professors for their achievements in academic research and culture.

In Nicaragua, women's and human rights organizations organized a march demanding the government issue a policy of state to fight the murder, domestic and sexual violence against women in the country, and make them have full access to justice.

The United Nations regional office in Mexico said on Monday that the inequality facing women in Latin America's labor markets costs 4 percent of the gross domestic product in the region, or about 100 billion U.S. dollars.

UN Resident Coordinator to Mexico Magdy Martinez-Soliman said at a press conference that 15 years after the World Conference on Women in Beijing (1995), there are advances in women's equality and development.

However, there are still inequality and discrimination against women in the world, he pointed out.