New legislation called the Organic Law to Improve the Economy of Ecuador’s Women Entrepreneurs entered into force after its publication on 10 March. The executive-initiated bill had passed in the National Assembly the previous month. Its object is to improve women’s economic empowerment through measures such as preferential access to credit, tax exemptions, simplified administrative procedures, and mentorship and collaborative financing programs and networks. Women who enrol in the National Entrepreneurship Registry will also be able to access free legal and economic advice, scholarships and training programs on subjects such as technology and business management. 

Sources: Asamblea Nacional, Naranjo Martinez & Subia, El Comercio, Prensa Latina, Primicias

The Inter-American Court of Human Rights found Ecuador responsible for rights violations against the Tagaeri and Taromenane Peoples, who are Indigenous communities living in voluntary isolation. Since 1999, Ecuadorian law established an ‘Intangible Tagaeri and Taromenane Zone’ (ITTZ), in which extractive activities are prohibited. Omissions in implementation contributed to delays and inaccuracies in its demarcation and the proliferation of oil drilling sites in prohibited areas, including in the Yasuní national park. The Court also found (and Ecuador partially admitted) the state’s responsibility for its failure to prevent acts of violence against the Tagaeri and Taromenane peoples and the abduction of two young girls. The Ecuadorian state was ordered to establish a commission to evaluate ITTZ implementation and take administrative and legislative measures to fully comply with the 2023 referendum in which people voted to end oil drilling in the Yasuní. The government will have to inform the Court on the actions taken within one year.

Sources: Inter-American Court of Human Rights, El Comercio, EFE, CNN, Primicias, International IDEA (1), International IDEA (2)  

On 9 February, Ecuadorians voted for the President, members of the National Assembly, and members of the Andean Parliament. Incumbent Daniel Noboa and leftist candidate Luisa Gonzalez will head to a runoff on 13 April after a tight presidential race. Noboa obtained 44.2 per cent of votes, while Gonzalez obtained 44.0 per cent. Voter turnout was 82.1 per cent (about the same as in previous elections) and voting is mandatory.
In the National Assembly, the Citizen Revolution Movement and National Democratic Action Movement parties (to which Gonzalez and Noboa, respectively, belong), obtained over 40 per cent of seats. Women lawmakers will comprise about 45.0 per cent of the members of the new Assembly, a slight increase from the current 43.8 per cent, enabled by gender quotas. 
Electoral observation missions noted the overall transparent and peaceful conditions of the elections.  However, they noted that by not taking a leave of absence to campaign (as ordinarily required by law), President Noboa’s actions contributed to uncertainty, and recommended that the Electoral Tribunal and Constitutional Court clarify that point before the runoff vote. 

Sources: Consejo Nacional Electoral, Ecuavisa, EFE, Expreso, El Universo (1), Prensa Latina, El Universo (2), Infobae

On 5 December, the Constitutional Court issued a historic ruling, finding that the Furukawa Plantaciones company, a Japanese enterprise, violated the prohibition of slavery by subjecting hundreds of its workers at abaca plantations to a system known as "servidumbre de la gleba". A contemporary form of slavery, the gleba kept hundreds of workers in inhumane conditions without access to basic services, and tied to the company for decades through facade rent agreements and other mechanisms. The Court declared that the company, operating in the country since the 1960s, took advantage of workers, mostly of African descent, in extremely vulnerable situations. The Court further condemned the Ecuadorean government for failing to prevent and enabling the abuse. The Court ordered Furukawa to pay compensation, and the state to develop policies and legal reforms to end the gleba. The company has contested the court's decision and claimed it cannot afford the ordered reparations without risking closure. 

Sources: Infobae, DW, Ecuavisa, El Pais

Vice-President Verónica Abad was suspended from her post for 150 days by the Ministry of Labour for allegedly abandoning her employment without justification, because she was late to comply a presidential decree ordering her to relocate to Ankara from Israel. Constitutional lawyers have criticized the Labour Ministry’s unprecedented decision given that, as an elected vice-president, she could only be dismissed on these grounds if the Constitutional Court and the National Assembly confirmed the abandonment, or in accordance with other constitutional procedures, such as impeachment. Abad had been in Israel after President Daniel Noboa ordered her to act as Ecuador’s envoy for peace in Israel. Abad expressed her belief that the suspension is intended to prevent her from succeeding as president when Noboa runs for re-election in February 2025, as he is required to resign in order to campaign. She has also accused Noboa of political gender-based violence, and pressure.

Update: On 23 December, Judge Nubia Vera granted Abad a protection measure, which terminated the effects of the Ministry of Labour’s decision and ordered reparatory measures. Judge Vera also publicly denounced pressure from the Council of the Judiciary aimed to influence her ruling. By the end of February, Judge Vera’s decision had not been fully implemented, and Abad was still prevented from accessing the Vice-Presidency’s office.  

Sources: Primicias (1), El Pais, El Economista, Infobae, Voice of America, Swiss Info, Primicias (2), CNN, El Comercio