[{"bbox": [97, 153, 1134, 207], "category": "Text", "text": "expressed concerns about the low reserves held by the Central bank. Fiscal transparency continues to decline and the agreement with the IMF remains blocked by bitcoin and lack of transparency."}, {"bbox": [97, 218, 1134, 351], "category": "Text", "text": "Gender inequality and violence against women remain very high. Women suffer higher levels of underemployment and marginalization in the labour market. Salvadoran women experience inequalities in terms of financial services, participation in the workforce, wages, and political participation. Only 48% of women are employed, while men reach 80.8%. Violence against women remains an open wound in the country: from 2019 to 2022, 20,282 cases of violence against women and girls (0-9 years old) were recorded."}, {"bbox": [97, 363, 1134, 445], "category": "Text", "text": "Salvadoran women continue to face significant challenges in accessing public services, reflecting broader societal inequalities and systemic barriers. Despite progress in some areas, disparities persist, particularly in access to healthcare, education, and justice."}, {"bbox": [97, 468, 1134, 763], "category": "Text", "text": "Socioeconomic inequalities in El Salvador significantly impact maternal and child health, reflecting a stark divide between different social strata. The wealth disparity manifests in limited access to quality healthcare for the poorer segments of the population, leading to higher maternal and infant mortality rates in impoverished areas. Rural and marginalized communities often suffer from inadequate healthcare facilities, insufficient medical personnel, and lack of essential services, such as prenatal and postnatal care. These deficiencies are exacerbated by malnutrition and poor living conditions, which are more prevalent among low-income families. Consequently, children from these backgrounds are more prone to diseases and developmental issues. The disparity in education further compounds the problem, as lower educational levels among mothers correlate with less knowledge about health practices and reduced access to healthcare resources. Addressing these inequalities requires comprehensive policies aimed at improving healthcare infrastructure, education, and economic opportunities for the disadvantaged populations in El Salvador."}, {"bbox": [97, 787, 1134, 921], "category": "Text", "text": "Healthcare access remains a pressing issue for Salvadoran women, with many facing obstacles in accessing essential maternal and sexual and reproductive health rights and services. The limited availability and accessibility of healthcare facilities and the lack of adequate equipment, especially in rural areas, along with financial constraints and cultural stigmas and disability based discrimination, restrict access in terms of both quantity and quality to women's health."}, {"bbox": [97, 932, 1134, 1040], "category": "Text", "text": "Despite the discontinuation of budget support the EU has continued a constructive cooperation strategy with the Salvadoran government based on the priority areas of the 2021-2027 MIP on promoting a digital and green transition mirroring EU priorities and principles in accordance with the Global Gateway strategy⁵, as well as continuing our focus on inclusive human development."}, {"bbox": [97, 1051, 1134, 1159], "category": "Text", "text": "This proposed action is part the Human development priority of the MIP which, in a Team Europe spirit, foresees joining an initiative in formulation by the Italian Agency for Cooperation, doubling the project's initial budget in an effort to reinforce an extremely weak area of the country's health sector as well as broadening the scope of the activities, impacting both women and children wellbeing."}, {"bbox": [97, 1170, 1134, 1327], "category": "Text", "text": "The EU and its MS have for many years been a key partner in the social sector in the country. Continuous dialogue on improvement in the health sector will take place jointly with Ministry of Health and the Office of the First Lady. The action will fully complement other EU actions taking place in support of girls and women, in particular \"Girls and adolescents protected from gender based violence and early pregnancy in the eastern zone of El Salvador\", to be implemented in indirect management with UNFPA, with a planned starting date in 2024 and to be implemented over 42 months"}, {"bbox": [97, 1355, 1134, 1489], "category": "Text", "text": "Additionally, the action complements the support provided to the health sector in the country by non EU partners: a) technical cooperation initiative for the training of health workers and promoters capacity building initiative funded by Korea, including its support to the School of Advanced Medicine; b) hospital equipment and supplies donation initiatives funded by Corea, Italy and Morocco; c) A World Bank credit to the \"Creciendo Saludables Juntos\" programme."}, {"bbox": [85, 1582, 1144, 1646], "category": "Footnote", "text": "⁵ https://commission.europa.eu/strategy-and-policy/priorities-2019-2024/stronger-europe-world/global-gateway_en In line with the Global Gateway strategy, this action includes as part of its activities, the improvement of health services and also the expansion of joint research through knowledge exchange. This should result in smarter, cleaner and more secure links between the two regions."}, {"bbox": [1027, 1655, 1143, 1682], "category": "Page-footer", "text": "Page 5 of 21"}]