America News Agency

The head of the undersecretariat for protection against gender-based violence, Claudia Barcia, resigned on Thursday, warning that the agency would soon be closed. “The Undersecretary for Protection against Gender-Based Violence... will cease to exist,” Barcia wrote on Twitter.

The decision comes as the Milei administration has cut government spending and imposed sweeping austerity measures to pull Argentina out of its economic crisis.

The country has one of the highest inflation rates in the world, with more than half the people living in poverty. A source at the human rights secretariat said the move was aimed at “streamlining” the agency and “optimizing resources”, adding that “all missions and programs” would continue.

The agency manages the 144 emergency hotline and the Acompañar program, which helps those at risk of gender-based violence. It has already faced cuts, with public spending on policies to reduce gender-based violence 26.8 percent lower in the first quarter of 2024 than in 2023, according to an analysis of government data by the Civil Association for Equality and Justice.

“We are facing the complete destruction of policies for the prevention of gender-based violence,” the office's staff, initially numbering 600 but now reduced to 200, said in a statement.

Fernanda Tarica, a doctor and founder of the NGO Shalom Bait, which supports victims of gender-based violence, said Argentina was "in the hands of a dangerous man" and added, "Women are at risk."