Gender cuts in Chile: Kast's budget

The 2027 Budget project of the Government of José Antonio Kast abandons the methodology of gender perspective budgeting and foresees the possible closure of Prodemu.
The PAIG and the Trans Health Program do not appear in the project, and Movilh demands that the Executive clarify it.
The text also requires Health Services to report on gender affirmation treatments done to minors since 2020.

The gender cuts in Chile are noticeable in the first budget of José Antonio Kast. The 2027 Budget Law project, which is being debated in Congress, stops labeling spending with a gender perspective, threatens the continuity of Prodemu, and does not mention programs for trans people. It was published by El Mostrador, with information from EFE, on October 24, 2026.

What happens with trans programs?

The Gender Identity Support Program (PAIG) and the Trans Health Program (PST) do not appear in the project, nor is there an equivalent allocation in the corresponding ministries. The Homosexual Integration and Liberation Movement (Movilh) has demanded that the Government clarify whether they will continue to operate.

«We are facing a worrying situation that the Executive must clarify,» warns Movilh, summarizing its fear with a phrase: «What is not explicitly named, does not exist».

A new obligation regarding trans minors

The project requires Health Services to report on hormonal and surgical gender affirmation procedures performed on minors under 18 since 2020. It is a novelty that was not in the focus of Movilh’s first complaint in early October.

The source does not explain what use will be made of that information. Even so, in a context where gender identity support programs do not have explicit funding, the requirement has increased the concern of LGBTI organizations.

What gender cuts does the budget include?

The deepest change is that the Government has stopped applying the methodology of “Gender Perspective Budgeting,” which labeled spending aimed at reducing gender gaps. The Government of Gabriel Boric implemented it as a pilot in 2024, and in its last project, that of 2026, 23% of the budget carried that label. This time, the ministries have not received instructions to apply it.

In addition, the National Women’s Service and Gender Equity (Sernameg) loses 26 permanent positions in its staffing.

What happens with Prodemu?

The Foundation for the Promotion and Development of Women (Prodemu), with 36 years of history, only has funds to operate until March 31, 2027. If Congress does not change the measure, it could close.

According to the Prodemu Union, about 50,000 women a year would be left without care and nearly 400 workers could lose their jobs. The Minister of Women, Judith Marín, has responded by blaming the previous Government for the foundation’s deficit.
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