Autonomy means for women to have the capacity and conditions to freely make decisions impacting their lives. To achieve a greater autonomy, different issues must be addressed, including freeing women from the exclusive responsibility of reproductive tasks and care, which implies ensuring the exercise of reproductive rights; ending gender violence and taking all necessary actions for women to participate in decision-making in equal conditions.

Through the Observatory for Gender Equality in Latin America and the Caribbean, the situation of women in the region is monitored, considering that they suffer inequalities and discriminatory practices related to social and economic redistribution, as well as the political and symbolic recognition, all of which undermines their autonomy, either economically, physically or in decision-making. Moving towards better living conditions for all people is an obligation of the States, which includes policies for overcoming the various discrimination situations against women, as individuals and as a social group.