Milei, often compared to Donald Trump for his conservative stance and campaign slogan "Make Argentina Great Again," has demonstrated a commitment to reducing state expenditures. During his campaign, Milei was known for brandishing a chainsaw at rallies, symbolizing his plans to cut government spending. True to his word, he has now eliminated several ministries, including those dedicated to the environment, culture, education, health, labor, social development, and notably, the Ministry for Women, Gender, and Diversity.
The disbanded Ministry for Women, Gender, and Diversity, established by former president Alberto Fernández in 2019, focused on addressing LGBTQ+ abuse, gender violence, social exclusion of the transgender community, and inequalities faced by women and LGBTQ+ individuals. Milei's decision to transfer its responsibilities to the Ministry of Human Capital has caused significant worry among LGBTQ+ activists and politicians in Argentina.
Congressman Esteban Paulón, an activist speaking to the Washington Blade, expressed deep concern over this development. He emphasized the importance of the ministry's work in combating gender inequalities and issues affecting the LGBTQ+ community, including gender violence, feminist economic policies, and social inclusion. Paulón fears that the abolition of the ministry will result in a lack of state investment and a diminished societal commitment to these crucial issues. He stressed the need to challenge the entrenched structures of patriarchy within capitalism to address broader inequalities.
Milei's campaign was marked by several contentious proposals, including a referendum on abortion legality, the abolition of public health and education, and cutting social welfare programs. While he has not directly opposed same-sex marriage, Milei has advocated for ending sex education in schools and received support from various anti-LGBTQ+ groups and pundits. His sweeping victory, winning almost 56% of the vote, has brought these and other radical policy changes to the forefront, causing alarm among advocates for social equality and LGBTQ+ rights in Argentina.