In a recent session of the Council of Bogotá on August 3, 2025, the management and financial activities of the Telecommunications Company of Bogotá (ETB) were under scrutiny. However, it was the words of ETB President Diego Molano that sparked an uproar, due to what many deemed macho and insensitive remarks he made during his address.
Molano drew a comparison between the management of ETB and the plight of single mothers in Colombia. This controversial analogy not only took many attendees aback but also provoked a wave of criticism aimed at his perceived lack of sensitivity towards this crucial societal issue.
In a timely response, Senator María José Pizarro , a prominent voice in the Historical Pact , took to social media platform X to express her disapproval. “The single mothers get our daughters and sons,” she articulated, critiquing Molano’s comparison made during the city council meeting.
During his address, Molano stated, “The ETB is like a single mother. The single mother every four years lifts a different boyfriend, and the children say: ‘The new stepfather arrived.’ And every four years, there’s a different stepfather and each one wants to do different things.” His analogy aimed to showcase the challenges in navigating changes in leadership for the company, but instead, it incited backlash.
Senator Pizarro underscored the vital and often undervalued role that single mothers occupy in Colombian society. She emphasized that many women successfully manage their families, study, and work, often without the support of a partner. Her comments highlighted not just personal struggles, but a broader societal reality that deserves respect and acknowledgment.
Pizarro emphasized that many women who head their families often juggle various tasks. This includes raising children while simultaneously pursuing education and maintaining jobs—often without any partner’s assistance. She pointed out that 45.4% of Colombian households are managed by women, predominantly single mothers, who autonomously sustain their families. Her remarks were backed by alarming statistics that illustrate the essential contributions women make in the face of adversity.
“Sir @diegomolanovega, single mothers raise our children, often while we study and work, filled with love for our families. Without a husband,” Pizarro retorted, reiterating the realities faced by many Colombian women.
In addition to Pizarro’s outcry, other political figures shared their dismay over Molano’s statements. Chamber representative Erika Tatiana Sánchez condemned his remarks with fervor. “I reject with firmness and deep indignation the macho and stigmatizing statements made by the president of @etb, @diegomolanovega,” she asserted in her post on X.
Sánchez highlighted that it was unacceptable for a high-level official to use sexist stereotypes to elucidate institutional problems. Her fervent admonition was aimed at challenging the perpetuation of prejudiced speech that facilitates discrimination and inequality against women.
“Unacceptable! We cannot tolerate a high-level official using sexist stereotypes to explain institutional problems,” she emphasized passionately, advocating for respect towards women’s experiences and rights.
In an attempt to quell the backlash, Molano later issued an apology on his X account , expressing respect and admiration towards single mothers. “I want to reiterate my apologies for the simile I employed in my presentation during the Council. I express with total clarity that single mothers hold my respect and admiration. They embody strength, resilience, and unwavering commitment to our families and our country,” he wrote.
