Venezuela

The Republic of Venezuela is located along the northern Caribbean coast of South America. The population is mestizo, Creole, and indigenous; the dominant culture is Hispanic; and the dominant religion is Roman Catholic. Although women share legal equality, they are generally behind men in economic and political opportunities and attainments. The traditional [Page 1515]Hispanic practice of machismo and marianismo emphasize traditional gender roles, which place women's value in the domestic sphere. Women's status is also affected by the strong social emphasis on physical beauty and the heavy influence of the beauty pageant industry and soap operas known as telenovelas. Venezuela ranked 69th of 134 countries in the World Economic Forum's 2009 Global Gender Gap Report.