Overcoming gender-based violence - promoting self-determination and justice in the Andes

Background information

Domestic violence in Latin America not infrequently culminates in femicide, which is the most radical form of gender-based violence. However, domestic violence can also lead to sexual violence.

Peru registered 137 femicides and over 5,380 disappearances of women and girls in 2022. Also registered were 8,100 cases of sexual violence against minors. In Bolivia, 94 femicides, 38 infanticides and 51,911 reports of sexual violence were registered. In Chile, femicides remained constant with 53 cases, compared to the previous year. While reports of sexual violence have increased exponentially.  

Despite the publication of these figures, the problem is difficult to express statistically. Reports often do not result in punishment for perpetrators, which further fuels the problem. Sexual assaults are still too often not reported because the victims are at a disadvantage compared to the perpetrators or are economically and/or emotionally dependent on them. Many perpetrators are close relatives of the victims and/or employees of special education schools/centers, which means that the real number of victims of sexual violence is probably much higher than statistically recorded. Since not only women, but also children and young people in Latin America are disproportionately exposed to domestic and sexual violence, many of our partners also carry out awareness-raising work in public schools and strengthen the self-confidence of children and young people.

The opportunities for civil society to participate politically have increased in Latin America in recent years. Environmental, human rights and women's organizations closely monitor government policies and engage in active public relations and lobbying. But it is precisely this involvement that carries great risks for the activists. Many of them are exposed to repression, persecution and attacks. Nevertheless, they engage themselves for those who still have no voice and often put their lives at risk. The Casa DEI of our project partner in Costa Rica, offers a concrete contact point in emergency situations.

Target groups and goals

Bolivia

• School children from the cities of La Paz, El Alto and Riberalta (FMA) receive protection from gender-based and sexual violence;
• Parents and teachers from public and private schools in El Alto, La Paz, and Riberalta are sensitized and educated on the topic of gender-based and sexual violence and harassment (FMA).
• Victims of violence and their family members receive psychosocial support (FMA)
• Authorities are further trained on the topic of gender-based and sexual violence (FMA)
• Civil society is sensitized and informed about gender-based and sexual violence through regional and national advocacy (FMA)

Costa Rica

• Threatened human rights and environmental activists receive protection, psychosocial support and training (DEI)
• Victims of violence are accompanied (DEI)

Peru

• Community members from rural village communities in the Cusco region are sensitized and educated by multipliers about sexual violence and its prevention (Flora Tristan)
• Police stations as well as the women's emergency center (CEM) are able to deal professionally with victims of violence (Flora Tristan)
• Victims of sexual violence and human trafficking receive counseling and are accompanied (Flora Tristan)
• Pupils and their parents learn to communicate without violence (EMAUS)
• So-called "tutors" are trained to accompany students and their families.  

Activities

Peru

• Conduct workshops in violence prevention for various stakeholder groups. (Flora Tristan)
• Conduct audiovisual campaigns in Quechua for community awareness work and also through local media (Flora Tristan).
• Comprehensive legal victim support (Flora Tristan).
• Women's Economic Empowerment (Flora Tristan).
• Conducting workshops on non-violent communication (EMAUS)
• Training courses for so-called "tutors" to accompany the students and their families (EMAUS).

Bolivia

• Conduct gender-based and sexual violence awareness and prevention workshops and inclusive violence prevention for various stakeholder groups (FMA).
• Comprehensive Victim Assistance (FMA).
• Lobbying at regional and national level (FMA)

Costa Rica

• Accommodation and meals at Casa DEI of threatened human rights and environmental activists* from all over Latin America (DEI).
• Psychosocial support (DEI)
• Conducting continuing education courses to strengthen resilience and clarify future perspectives (DEI).

Project progress

Peru:

FLORA TRISTAN

26 women from rural communities were trained as multipliers in the areas of prevention against gender-based and sexual violence and agroecological production methods. In addition, 60 local officials were sensitized on the topic of gender-based and sexual violence. Thanks to strong lobbying, the municipality of Oropesa was convinced to establish a public office to officially address gender-based and sexual violence. Flora Tristan has also provided legal and psychosocial support to numerous victims of violence.

EMAUS

All 260 students surveyed said they had experienced an improvement in their everyday family life. For example: Conflicts are no longer taboo, but are expressed through techniques such as listening, introspection, non-violent verbal and non-verbal communication. This creates a climate of trust and helps to resolve conflicts peacefully and reduce emotional tensions in the family. This was also reflected in peer relationships and has led to improved teamwork at school and better performance overall.

ISAIAS

19 women (60%) who participated in the project reported improvements in their daily family life, especially positive changes in their partners' behavior (more participation in household, more appreciation and support). 27 women also completed their short training as drivers, plumbers and PC/mobile phone repairers. Half of them have already been able to find customers and generate a small income (project ends at the end of 2022).

Bolivia:

MACHAQA AMAWTA

More than 1000 school children, their teachers and parents were sensitized on the topic of gender-based and sexual violence. Over 90 state employees who deal with victims of violence on a professional basis were also trained. The spiral of violence was interrupted in 17 of the 27 victims of violence who received support. Another 10 children and their parents continue to be accompanied and cared for. Machaqa Amawta has also carried out a national awareness campaign, with presence on the radio, on TV and with the production of a video with the participation of a well-known Bolivian singer.

Costa Rica:

DEI

All 15 people who received room and board at Casa DIE reported an improvement in their living conditions, especially in the areas of psychological and physical stability and general safety. These are women human rights defenders threatened by violence from Colombia, Guatemala, Nicaragua and Costa Rica. Furthermore, Casa DEI gave shelter to 15 indigenous people so that they can advocate for their territories or the concerns of their communities from the capital. Also, 14 staff members of other organizations were trained to work with migrants and human rights activists and to work against gender-based and other forms of violence.