New website, social-media campaign fight sexism in Costa Rica

The National Institute for Women is challenging Ticos to find out if they behave as “machistas” and are in need of rehabilitation.

The agency has launched a media campaign and website called “Machista en rehabilitación” (“Machista in rehab”) offering information to help identify machista behavior.

The campaign includes a series of messages aimed at combating stereotypes, both against women and men. Visitors to the site can take an online test in Spanish called “La última y definitiva guía para la detección del machismo” (“The Ultimate and Definitive Guide for the Detection of Sexism”).

“It doesn’t matter if you are a man or woman. This test will help you find out if you have sexist attitudes and behavior and understand how sexism lurks in our society,” the website states.

The site also offers visitors information on the perception of women and their roles in society in order to explain how machismo has existed since ancient times.

“Super Machos” describes a type of behavior “that could lead to continuing violence and the superiority of the male over the female.” Other classifications include “Super Man,” “Super Powerful,” “Controlling Prince” and “The Sexy Man.”

Another section of the site offers advice on appropriate behavior at home, in the workplace, at parties, on the road, in conversations and even in bed.

The section “Decidí” (“Decide”) features stories of women who have faced personal and professional gender-based discrimination.