On Tuesday, the Women's, Children's, Youth, and Family Commission of the National Assembly began the first debate on Bill No. 447, which creates the National Institute for Women. Jorge Herrera, President of the National Assembly, stated that this first meeting allowed for the hearing of diverse and, in some cases, opposing positions, which he considered healthy within the democratic and legislative process. According to the Assembly, during the debate, opposing opinions were recorded regarding the approval of the bill, which allowed for a broad exchange of criteria, technical observations, and proposals from various involved sectors. The commission convened the next meeting for January 20 at 1:00 p.m. with the objective of continuing to listen to interested sectors and to advance the legislative process. The meeting was attended by representatives from the Ministry of Social Development (MIDES), civil society organizations, lawyers, the Alliance of Women of Panama, and the National Forum of Women of Political Parties (FONAMUPP), among other actors.
