Columbia’s Suzanne Goldberg Visits Chile to Address Gender Discrimination and Sexual Misconduct in Academia
In recent months, Chile has witnessed a surge of strikes, occupations, and protests against sexual harassment and gender discrimination within its universities. Thousands of students and faculty members have participated in demonstrations and sit-ins, demanding clear policies and protocols to address sexual misconduct, as well as to combat the prevailing patriarchal culture, sexual stereotyping, lack of female representation in senior academic positions, wage gaps, and other forms of discrimination against women. Allegations related to sexual violence and abuse, glass ceilings, and the underrepresentation of women are also being confronted across the entertainment industry, government institutions, and private firms.
In July, Suzanne Goldberg, Executive Vice President of the Office of University Life at Columbia University, traveled to Chile to share the university’s experiences regarding these issues. She emphasized Columbia’s commitment to fostering an environment free from discrimination and harassment, including sexual assault and all forms of gender-based misconduct, along with its policies and protocols on diversity and inclusion.
As one of the United States’ foremost experts on gender and sexuality law, Goldberg is the founder and director of the Sexuality and Gender Law Clinic, and co-director of the Center for Gender & Sexuality Law at Columbia Law School. Through the Office of University Life, she has led the nationally recognized Sexual Respect Initiative and guided University-wide task forces on Gender-Based Misconduct Prevention and on Race, Ethnicity, and Inclusion.
During her visit, Goldberg engaged in over a dozen meetings with government officials, local university provosts and deans, business leaders, alumni, faculty members, students, and feminist activists. She had an insightful conversation on best practices for promoting sexual respect with Isabel Pla, Chile’s Minister of Gender Equality, and discussed Columbia’s experiences with the presidents of Universidad Católica (UC), Ignacio Sánchez; Universidad de Chile (UChile), Ennio Vivaldi; and Universidad Adolfo Ibáñez (UAI), Harald Beyer. Goldberg also met with faculty and students during a luncheon hosted by José de Gregorio, Dean of the School of Economics and Business at UChile, and with the leadership of UC’s School of Engineering, led by Dean Juan Carlos de la Llera.
In Santiago, Goldberg participated in two speaking engagements. She presented Columbia’s Sexual Respect initiative at an event co-hosted by the Santiago Center and Cultural Center GAM, attended by over 300 people. During this session, she outlined the University’s multifaceted approach, which includes educational and awareness programs, resources for those affected by gender-based misconduct, accessible and fair investigation methods, and protections designed to prevent recurrence. You can download her PowerPoint presentation here. She also led a roundtable discussion at the Santiago Center with key leaders of the feminist movement, chaired by Columbia alumna Claudia Heiss (GSAS’03), titled “When ‘No’ Means ‘No’: Promoting a Culture of Consent.” This discussion focused on confronting gender-based misconduct, including sexual assault, harassment, partner violence, and stalking.
Goldberg engaged in dialogues with several local CEOs and heads of Human Resources departments from various Chilean companies, discussing best practices, policies, and protocols to promote diversity, inclusion, and sexual respect in the private sector. One such gathering, organized by Generación Empresarial, took place at the headquarters of Chile’s main business council, CPC. At a meeting organized by Spencer & Stuart, Goldberg discussed the experiences of Twentieth Century Fox and other US companies that have navigated complex cases regarding these issues. You can download her PowerPoint presentation here.
Additionally, Goldberg met with the Student Council of UChile’s Law School, which had been on strike for over two months due to complaints about the University’s handling of a sexual harassment case. She also met with the head of the Gender Equality Division at UChile. On the final day of her trip, she led a training course for the District Attorney’s Unit on Human Rights, Gender Violence, and Sexual Crimes.
To see a picture gallery of Suzanne Goldberg’s activities in Chile, including an alumni reunion held in her honor, click here.
For interviews and articles regarding her visit (in Spanish), visit the following links:
- Letter published by Provost Ignacio Sánchez in El Mercurio newspaper.
- Interviews in Emol, and Radio Pauta.
- Reports on her visit posted on the Universidad Católica website, Universidad de Chile’s website, and GAM’s website