Latvia

Mixed History of Progress

In 2009, Latvia's estimated per capita income was $14,500, making Latvia the 79th richest country in the world. Latvia has a mixed history of progress for women. In 1995, women filled only 15 of 100 seats in the country's Parliament. By 2008, that number had expanded by only seven seats. However, 4 of 19 cabinet members were female. Women constitute the majority of both the population, and the workforce, and Latvian law guarantees women equality. However, there is a serious gap between theory and reality. An unemployment rate of 18.6 percent has created major issues for women. In 1992, 93 percent of Latvians lived below the poverty line, and economic problems resulting from a large budget deficit have continued to disproportionately affect women and children. This is offset to some degree by the government's compensation to mothers of young children. Subsidies begin with the 28th week of pregnancy and end when a child starts kindergarten. Domestic violence and human trafficking also continue to be major concerns. Among Latvian nongovernmental organizations, Marta is the most active in the field of women's rights.

With a rate of 8.77 deaths per 1,000 live births, Latvia ranks 162nd in the world in infant mortality. Female infants (6.82) have a significant advantage over [Page 830]male infants (10.63), and this health advantage continues throughout life, with a female life expectancy of 77.59 years compared to 66.98 years for males. The median age of Latvian females is 43.4 years. On average, women give birth to 1.3 children each.

Like many former socialist republics, Latvia struggles with major social issues. It ranks 60th in the world in human immunodeficiency virus and acquired immune deficiency syndrome (HIV/AIDS) prevalence (0.8 percent). Latvians also have an intermediate risk of developing bacterial diarrhea and tickborne encephalitis. There is virtually no difference between male and female literacy, with each at near 100 percent, but there are distinct differences in the pursuit of education. Females generally go to school for 17 years, whereas males go for 14 years.

Although rape is against the law, there are no legal prohibitions specifically aimed at marital rape. Penalties for rape depend on factors that include the nature of the crime, the age of the victim, and the criminal history of the perpetrator. Sentences range from probation to life imprisonment. The Skalbes Crisis Center has expressed the conviction that rape victims are reluctant to come forward because of the tendency to blame them rather than the perpetrator.

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