The bill 447, which proposes the repeal of the Ministry of Women to return it to an autonomous institute under the umbrella of the Ministry of Social Development, passed with 5 votes to a second debate after four intense discussions in the Women's Commission, chaired by Alexandra Brenes. The approval of the initiative, brought by the Executive, was fraught with intensity from the factions defending the ministry's status and those seeking a return to INAMU, but under better conditions. Before fully entering the final debate and hearing the points from the MIDES ministers, Beatriz Carles and Minister Niurka Palacios of the Women's Ministry, Deputy Brenes was firm in stating that she is not a feminist, although she shares the struggles, but feels the Ministry has not met the expectations women require, although in the end she raised her hand in favor of keeping the Ministry. "People want impact and results, that is the reality. Currently, what there is is an empty shell with a shielded budget, which is only for operation," said Deputy Alexandra Brenes, president of the Women's Commission in the National Assembly, at the beginning. Brenes questioned that there had been confrontations between those in charge and Statistics (indicators), instead of seeking to improve with the opportunity presented, regardless of whether it is Inamu or a Ministry.
Brenes said it is more of a political conflict. In turn, the Minister of MIDES, Beatriz Carles, and the Minister of Women, Niurka Palacios, explained the structure of INAMU, its programs, and where the personnel would go. This year the Budget is 7 million for the restructuring of 17 centers and creating more, said Carles, adding that before it was the Ministry of Women, it reached up to 98% execution and today it has decreased. The 2025 Budget was 11 million and in 2026 it is limited to less, indicates Deputy Brenes. The Ministry of Women today has 81% administrative and 19% technical. There are Promoters, Social Workers, Lawyers, and Psychologists, as part of the administrative staff who are within the Attention Centers. 1- They have three directorates: Research that impacts with gender indicators and is visible for the Budget. 2- Gender program for state sensitivity forming a network. 3- And the Integral one, said Niurka Palacios.
Minister Carles The Minister of MIDES said that the idea is to allow MIDES to make the necessary changes after inheriting the Institute and give answers to women. "What we need is for the modifications to arrive to improve the service it provides and the structure that has about 160 social workers, more than 30 psychologists; social promoters 250 and they must reach 400" said Carles, reiterating that the personnel would pass to the Institute as a whole. The structure goes to the Institute as the necessary technical personnel. Niurka Palacios On the other hand, Palacios exposed that there are about 81 Technicians, with 26 psychologists, 18 social workers, and 18 Community Workers and 18 lawyers, for a total of 165 with administrative, arguing that the Social Promoters are in the community and follow up on everything. In this debate, more than 440 people representing different women's sectors participated and the votes in favor of going to a second debate were: Dana Castañeda, Paulete Thomas among others.
