Last Friday, 8 March 2024, International Women’s Day, Argentinian ICMIF member Río Uruguay Seguros (RUS) launched a new insurance product called Salud Fem Rural Integral (Integrated Health for Rural Women) at the Expoagro trade fair for those working in the agricultural sector. The product was developed in collaboration with Red de Mujeres Rurales (Rural Women’s Network) and it is a cover designed to protect rural women and their families against unforeseen health or personal accidents.
Women in rural areas in Argentina not only work to support their families, they also contribute to the development of the countryside by carrying out daily tasks that are often hampered by inclement weather. They also face various complexities such as the wage gap, food insecurity, lack of digital connectivity, among other factors that limit their ability to grow.
To protect these workers and their children, RUS says it created the Salud Fem Rural Integral insurance, an indemnity insurance with coverage including: first diagnosis of cancer in female organs, first diagnosis of acute myocardial infarction, surgical interventions, income for hospitalisation, organ transplants, among other risks.
It also provides coverage for accidents that may occur within the workplace and during working hours. It also covers accidents occurring on the direct and immediate route between the workplace and home and vice versa.
RUS says this insurance also offers additional services such as medical assistance (hospitalisation expenses, surgical interventions, medical and pharmaceutical fees in case of injury or illness), complementary examinations, medication, transfer of family members, prosthesis and orthopaedics, dentistry, eyeglasses and 24-hour telemedicine service (medical consultations in the medical clinic and paediatrics by video call).
In addition to protecting women living and working in rural areas, the insurance cover also protects children living in these areas and attending neighbouring educational establishments. Salud Fem Rural Integral offers coverage for accidents that may occur inside the school building and premises, during school hours, physical exercise and recreational activities, under the supervision of the teaching staff. It also provides coverage for breaks, trips for educational purposes, visits to exhibitions, museums, etc, organised by the institution and supervised by teachers. Coverage extends to the daily commute to and from school.
With the creation of this new insurance, which forms part of what Río Uruguay Seguros calls its insurance for equity, along with Fem Health (launched in 2018), Trans Health (2021) and other coverage, RUS believes it once again fulfils its commitment to the United Nations Global Compact, guaranteeing equal access to insurance for all people so that they can live in safe environments and grow socially, politically and economically.
