TOWARDS A LIFE FREE OF GENDER-BASED VIOLENCE: ACCESS TO JUSTICE AND THE RIGHTS OF INDIGENOUS WOMEN

Practices in Reducing Gender-Based Violence

EFFECTIVE
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Case Studies from Bolivia

Written by: CONSTRUIR Foundation Address: Av. Ecuador N 2539, Sopocachi La Paz Bolivia Telephone: (591-2)2423764 www.fundacionconstruir.org Asociacin Juventud para el Desarrollo, JUDES Address: Av. Velasco Galvarro No. 6686 Corner with Arce Oruro Bolivia Telephone:(591-2) 52-74791 AYNISUYU Territorio de la Reciprocidad Address: Moxos street N 1766, (Area: Complejo Petrolero) Cochabamba Bolivia. Telephone: (591-4) 4560361 Organizacin de Mujeres Aymaras del Kollasuyo, OMAK Address: Av. Romero 2045, Area: Amor de Dios, 1ro de Mayo towards Viacha El Alto - Bolivia Telephone: (591-2) 2806890 MUJERES EN ACCIN Address: Suipacha street No. 839 between D. Paz street and Bolvar. Area: La Pampa Tarija - Bolivia Telephone: (591-4) 6642007 Consejo Autonmico de Totora Marka Compilation and Editing: Ana Cecilia Arteaga Bhrt Cover Photo: Ricardo Marroqun First Edition: 500 ejemplares Second Edition: 500 ejemplares Design and Layout: Claudia Zuleta R. Printing: La Paz Bolivia, 2011, 2012
The activities presented in this publication were supported by: The United Stated Department of State, Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights and Labor, and Partners of the America.

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INDEX
Prologue

Introduction
Gender-Based Violence Prevention and Care Strategies in Bolivia: Program: Case Studies CASE STUDY I Asociacin Juventud para el Desarrollo JUDES, Challapata Municipality Oruro Department Introduction 1. Background of the Reducing Gender-Based Violence in Bolivia Program in Challapata 2. The Reality of Gender-Based Violence in Challapata. 3. Collection and Analysis of Experiences of the Reducing Gender-Based Violence in Bolivia Program in Challapata 4. Case Study: The Local Violence Prevention Network, Municipal Network against Violence, and the Fight Against Gender-Based Violence 5. Impacts of the Reducing Gender-Based Violence in Bolivia Program in Challapata

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CASE STUDY II AYNISUYU TERRITORIO DE LA RECIPROCIDAD, Punata Municipality Department of Cochabamba Introduction 1. Background of the Reducing Gender-Based Violence in Bolivia Program in Punata 2. The Reality of Gender-based Violence in Punata 3. Collection and Analysis of Experiences of the Reducing Gender-Based Violence in Bolivia Program in Punata 4. Case Study:The Local Violence Prevention Network, Inter Agency Committee on Human Development from Valle Alto Against Gender-Based Violence, and the Fight Against Gender-based Violence 5. Impacts of the Reducing Gender-Based Violence in Bolivia Program in Punata

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INDEX
CASE STUDY III ORGANIZACIN DE MUJERES AYMARAS DEL KOLLASUYO (OMAK), Pucarani Municipality - La Paz Department 51 Introduction 1. Background of the Reducing Gender-Based Violence in Bolivia Program in Pucarani 2. The Reality of Gender-Based Violence in Pucarani 3. Collection and Analysis of Experiences of the Reducing Gender-Based Violence in Bolivia Program in Pucarani 4. The Local Violence Prevention Network, the Womens Committee for the Prevention and Treatment of Gender Violence in Pucarani, and the Fight Against Gender-Based Violence 5. Impacts of the Reducing Gender-Based Violence in Bolivia Program in Pucarani 51

CASE STUDY IV MUJERES EN ACCIN, Uriondo Municipality - Department of Tarija Introduction

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61 1. Background of the Reducing Gender-Based Violence in Bolivia Program in Uriondo 2. The Reality of Gender-based Violence in Uriondo 3. Collection and Analysis of Experiences of the Reducing Gender-Based Violence in Bolivia Program in Uriondo 4. Case Study: The Local Violence Prevention Network, Municipal Network Against Violence, and the Fight Against Gender-based Violence 5. Impacts of the Reducing Gender-Based Violence in Bolivia Program in Uriondo Terms and Vocabulary 71

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PROLOGUE
we must build societies that understand that violence against women and girls is wrong and that its not part of a culture or a lifestyle...1 To build a society in Bolivia as described by Ms. Sisic requires coordinating efforts on many fronts. Transforming expectations and behavior patterns can take place more quickly and more completely than previously thought, but only if all stakeholders are engaged. To make gender-based violence unnatural and socially unacceptable in Bolivia, citizens and civil society must work to change the many causes of this violence, which can be deeply embedded in social practices and culture. Partners of the Americas and its Bolivian partner, the Construir Foundation, designed the Reducing Gender-based Violence in Bolivia program to focus on the local level in four municipalities with great poverty and limited access to justice2. With the support of the Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights and Labor of the United States Department of State, the program raised awareness among the public at-large and key stakeholders to understand that violence towards women is a violation of internationally accepted human rights. The Program applied three strategic and interrelated lines of action: 1) raise social awareness on the impact of gender-based violence and womens right to live free of violence; 2) strengthen the capacities of service providers and the justice system authorities to ensure better care and protections for victims and 3) empower women leaders in the four communities to know their rights and be able to demand them, to advocate for change and serve as citizen watchdogs. These

1 Ms. Aldijana Sisic, Director of the Global Campaign Against Violence Against Women, Supported by the United Nations Secretary General IPS, Violence Against Women is Neither Natural nor Inevitable, November, 14, 2011 2 A recent study by CIDEM shows that Bolivia has one of the highest levels of violence against women and girls in Latin America. The study shows that eight in 10 women suffer some type of violence in their lives and that only 1% of those cases are resolved in courts. The data likely does not capture the full magnitude of the problem due to widespread underreporting, in particular in rural areas which suffer from cultural and physical isolation. (CIDEM, July 7 and 8, 2011, Cochabamba)

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efforts required social, political and cultural leadership working together to build equality and ensure accessibility and quality of care and services for victims. Efforts during the program have greatly improved municipal responsiveness and services for victims. Municipalities created new or increased funding for SLIMs. Municipal officials were eager to improve their capacity. They participated enthusiastically in the training programs, contributed fully as members of the local violence prevention networks, and embraced new systems, such as the SIVICIGE system, to better coordinate care for violence survivors as they move through the various institutions in the system, identify abuse situations that are most likely to escalate to dangerous levels and provide support, and compare data across municipalities. In addition, the women leaders in grassroots organizations in each area received extensive training in public education, advocacy, and citizen oversight. They formed local violence prevention networks in each municipality to maximize their impact and influence during the program and into the future. The local women leaders who participated in the program continue to actively work to reduce violence and to improve equality, accessibility and the quality care for victims in their communities and at the national level. For example, the local leaders were all trained in the methodology from a successful victim support and watchdog model program from Peru, Community Defenders and have all formed Community Defender Councils.

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In particular, they focus on the new violence prevention networks, the results achieved by the program, as well as the actions and the initiatives of the participating local organizations which contributed to the creation of new leadership. We would like to highlight the outstanding work of the four local partner NGOs: AYNISUYU in Punata, JUDES in Oruro, Mujeres en Accin in Tarija and OMAK in Pucarani. The success of this collaborative effort would not have been possible without their commitment, hard work and expertise. Partners of the Americas and the Construir Foundation thank the Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights and Labor of the U.S. Department of State for its generous support of the Reducing Gender-Based Violence in Bolivia program. Ramiro Orias Executive Director The Construir Foundation 2011

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INTRODUCTION
Bolivia approved a new constitution by national referendum on January 25, 2009. It is the first Bolivian constitution to include an explicit agenda to develop policies and laws promoting gender equity. The constitutional text gathers and acknowledges a wide set of demands and rights specific to women: the inclusion of the principle of the gender and social equity, the democratization and acknowledgement of housework value, the citizen action, equity and non-discrimination, sexual and reproductive rights, the right to a life free of violence in all respects, the intercultural vision of gender and rights, promotion of women in elected posts and governmental service, recognition of housing, services and land rights, the use of non-sexist language, as well as self-determination, a healthy environment and a cultural identity among others were a significant accomplishment. Several important laws were adopted to implement the mandates in the new constitution. A few of the key laws were: the Transitional Electoral Law (Ley de Rgimen Electoral Transitorio), the approval of the Autonomy and Decentralization Framework Law (Ley Marco de Autonoma y Descentralizacin) and the Jurisdictional Boundaries Law (Ley de Deslinde Jurisdicional) (approved in December, 2010). The Jurisdictional Boundaries Law relates to the mandate to incorporate the existing formal and Indigenous justice sectors into one plural justice system. It will define the mechanisms for cooperation and jurisdictional delineation among the justice systems. This is particularly important as legal protections from gender-based violence for Indigenous women to-date are limited or nonexistent.

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Partners of the Americas and the Construir Foundation sought to use the openings provided within the framework of these legislative changes to reduce gender-based violence in the Municipalities of Uriondo (Tarija), Challapata (Oruro), Punata (Cochabamba) and Pucarani (La Paz). The program raised public awareness, included municipal leaders and service providers as partners, trained service providers, provided new management systems to provide better care and improve coordination among the multiple responsible municipal agencies, lobbied for better facilities and greater funding, worked extensively with men and youth, and left behind strong functioning local violence prevention networks to continue to act as advocates and watchdogs. These case studies will collect and analyze the results and best practices generated in the initiatives and use this analysis to look forward to the next steps to continue the fight to reduce genderbased violence and empower women in Bolivia.

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Gender-Based Violence in Bolivia Program

REDUCING
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Four Case Studies: Strategies

for the Prevention and Care of

Gender-Based Violence

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PREFACE
As mentioned in the introduction, the Reducing Gender-Based Violence in Bolivia Program aimed to increase understanding and change attitudes regarding gender-based violence among municipal leaders, service providers, women and the public at-large. It increased the capacity, not just of municipal service providers, but also of youth, women and civil society organizations (CSOs) to promote change in their communities and among their peers. The CSOs and local women leaders were empowered to take on leadership and key stakeholders to articulate and coordinate the management of gender-based violence. The increases in leadership among Indigenous women were especially marked. More specifically, the program focused on raising awareness among Indigenous leaders and Indigenous justice authorities and in involving them as respected partners in the development of new legal standards for their communities. Another key strategy was to form local violence prevention networks in the four targeted municipalities and provide extensive training in the issues surrounding gender-based violence and the legal changes due to the new constitution, in advocacy and raising public awareness, in the implementation of oversight mechanisms, and in organizational management. For example, a successful Peruvian community watchdog and womens advocacy program was replicated in the four municipalities. The four local networks all formed Community Advocates Councils (Defensoras Comunitarias): groups of local women leaders trained to provide support for victims of violence as they received services and to provide oversight of services providers and municipal support. The Community Advocates Councils actively included public defenders and service providers in the trainings and in policy development. The resulting Community Advocates Councils are a crucial component of the sustainability strategy. Partners of the Americas and the Construir Foundation selected four NGOs to act as the local lead institution: JUDES, AYNISUYU, OMAK and Mujeres en Accin. The case studies analyze the development, organization, operation and impact of the local violence prevention networks that were developed during the course of the program. With support from the Construir Foundation, the four lead NGOs wrote the following case studies as part of their capacity building training.

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JUDES is a non-governmental organization with the mission to create opportunities for developing solutions to different issues arising from the large legal and social changes driven by the new constitution and other national policies. JUDES is focused on justice and democracy addressed at the vulnerable populations in the Department of Oruro. Its activities are based on democratic coexistence through the citizen participation, starting from the recognition of cultural diversity, creating concurrent participatory spaces for training and public education. JUDES is particularly focused on serving the Indigenous and peasant organizations. AYNISUYU is a non-profit Private Institute of Social Development (Institucin Privada de Desarrollo Social, IPDS) that encourages and carries out comprehensive development programs in the rural communities in the Department of Cochabamba, highlighting the problem of the most depressed social sectors of Bolivian society, especially that of women and children, through its actions. Its methodology encourages direct participation by the beneficiaries to promote sustainability in the community. The Organizacin de Mujeres Aymaras del Kollasuyo, OMAK is a grassroots organization of Aymara women. OMAK uses local action to support the struggle for the social, economical and political rights of Indigenous women. Its activities are based on training women about human rights, reproductive health and natural medicine, etc. Mujeres en Accin/Women in Action supports activities to strengthen civil society and promote human rights and access to justice. Mujeres en Accin stresses the inclusion of youth and women, in particular, single teenage mothers and victims of sexual abuse or domestic violence. It is active in the entire Department of Tarija, with different rural and urban projects.

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1
Youth for Development Association, (JUDES)
Challapata Municipality Department of Oruro

The Youth for Development Association (Asociacin Juventud para el Desarrollo), JUDES is a non-profit, non-governmental organization that provides services in the Department of Oruro and at a national level. Its mission includes building constructive solutions to challenges arising from Bolivias large constitutional changes. Its activities are based on democratic coexistence through citizen participation, starting from the recognition of cultural diversity, creating concurrent participatory spaces for training and public education. JUDES is focused on justice and democracy and serving the most vulnerable populations, in particular Indigenous and peasant groups. In the last four years, JUDES deepened its expertise in social advocacy, citizenship oversight, electoral observation and political lobbying. It generated research processes to meet the needs of the citizens, in particular the needs of the youth, in a democratic, clear and efficient way. In addition, JUDES has developed an important intercultural dialogue process between authorities in the formal and Indigenous justice sectors of Challapata. The case study written by JUDES analyzes the programs efforts in Challapata and the resulting local violence network, Municipal Network against Violence in Challapata.

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1. Background of the Reducing Gender-Based Violence in Bolivia Program in Challapata

the departments agricultural and livestock capital. Its main economic activities are the Sunday markets where traditional products such as meat, quinoa and llama wool and other agricultural products from the region are distributed. Due to its advantageous geographical location, Challapata has become a major transit area for the trade of illegal vehicles coming from the Chilean port cities. For this reason, there is a movement of foreigners to Challapata. Although Challapata has legal authorities, they are not able to exercise control due to the increasing illegal trading activities. In addition, the social problems are exacerbated by excessive consumption of alcoholic drinks and a proliferation of bars and clubs.

Photo 1. Panoramic view of Challapata

Challapata is the capital of the First Municipal Section of the Department of Oruro in the province Eduardo Avaroa. Challapata was established on October 18, 1903. The province includes the departments southeastern section and has an area of 1,740 square miles with 27,675 inhabitants. (2001 Bolivia Census) It is one of Bolivias most populated areas and is a major transportation and trade axis. Etymologically, the word Challapata derives from the Quechua words challa (offer) and pata (up). Challapata sits on a hill and the locals used to say aqu arriba challaremos, or we come up here to bring offerings to Pachamama (Mother Earth). There are 30 ayllus1 in Challapata. The population is mostly Indigenous: Aymaras, Quechuas and the Villa eque community (belonging to Uru Murato ethnicity). There are several active Indigenous organizations, such as the umbrella group, Original Nation of Suyu Jatun Quillaka Asanajaqi JAKISA, which represents Indigenous peoples in a region that includes 74 ayllus and more than a thousand communities located in 5 municipalities: Challapata, Huari, Santuario de Quillacas, Pampa Aullagas and Salinas de Garci Mendoza. The municipality of Challapata is known for being

2. The Reality of Gender-based Violence in Challapata

It remains true that, in most cases, women are still the most recurring victims of family violence. Challapata is not exempted from this reality. A proof of this is the fact that womens rights have only been acknowledged recently. And the movements that work for womens rights are less than 20 years old. The family violence in Challapata is often longterm and increasing over time. In other words, each violent action causes another similar action. A quarrel could trigger emotional abuse and, at the same time, it can lead to physical attack or vice versa. It is commonly accepted that blows come with insults and humiliation. Although the means and conditions necessary for handling gender-based violence cases exist in Challapata, the social and environmental factors that hold women back from seeking help have not changed. Women often do not seek protection or justice due to multiple factors, such as: i) fear of retaliations on the part of the husband or partner; ii) shame of their social condition or educational level; iii) social prejudices which consider violence as a domestic issue that needs to be solved internally; iv) lack of knowledge of laws which protect those women who are victims of violence; v) a patriarchal system embedded in most cultures and societies that

1 An ayllu is roughly equivalent to a village or neighborhood.

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recognizes the parental authority first, according to which the respect and subordination lie on the part of the other family members; and vi) ignorance about those institutions which provide assistance services towards the victims of violence in remote communities of the towns. However, it is worth mentioning that some cases are resolved by the Indigenous justice authorities, which can provide greater access to justice for Indigenous women. Statistical data on domestic violence was not collected in Challapata until 2009. Therefore, the reality of the violence situation in the Municipality cannot be fully known. From 2009 onwards, the new Municipal Government began providing monthly reports. They used UNICEFs Single Form, which specifies a set of data regarding reported cases, collected from the Municipal Comprehensive Legal Services, SLIM (Servicios Integrales Municipales) and the Office for the Protection of Children and Adolescents, DNA (Defensora de la Niez y Adolescencia). According to the reports from January to December of 2009, DNA reported 258 domestic violence cases and the San Juan de Dios Hospital reported 269 cases. However, the Family Protection Brigade (Brigada de Proteccin a la Familia), which is the institution that receives the greatest number of cases, reported 1,284 cases between December 2009 and June 2010. The number of reported cases is far below the actual number of cases. Graphs 1 and 2 below show that 97% of physical violence cases and 99% of psychological violence cases are identified, in part, from other institutions such as DNA, where there is a psychologist. The variability of the reported cases proves that there is a poor coordination between institutions. For example, there were no referrals or counter-referral forms.

Graph 1. Physical violence cases directly reported and derived from other institutions.

Graph 2. Sexual violence cases directly reported and derived from other institutions.

Women who are interviewed affirm that the most recurring types of violence are physical and psychological. It is interesting to note that in the training workshops the most controversial issue was that of sexual violence. For example, 85% of the participants said they had not suffered sexual violence from their partners in the forms used for the training workshops, even though this type of violence is so common as to seem natural. The public in Challapata see a woman as being a males property. This concept underpins the anthropological inquiry which explains the naturalization of sexual violence. These reasons all contribute to underreporting of cases to the SLIM, the Family Protection Brigade and other justice institutions.

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Testimony from a DNA representative introduces the fourth type of violence: According to the cases that I have reported, the violence which women suffer most is a combination of physical and psychological violence, although sometimes it is a mixture of psychological and economic violence. Economic violence, a form of psychological violence, refers to the male control over a wife or partner through the financial dependence which is seen the deprivation of food, clothes and/or other material goods. The economic violence leads to submissiveness by the women, who usually have no income sources of their own and put up with violence for the sake of their family needs.

Graphs 3 and 4 show that most of the women who were victims of physical and psychological violence victims in 2010 had completed primary school: 40% of those reporting physical violence and 50% of those reporting psychological violence. These women demonstrate that the lower the educational level is, the more difficult it is to provide sustenance. Although violence affects women from all socioeconomic levels, a precarious financial status is a significant factor when analyzing the physical and psychological violence. As Dr. Patricia Burgos from the CEFOI Legal Department said, The majority of the cases Ive supported through CEFOI are to humble women with low educational levels. Some of them even cannot read and write. The economic factors make women submissive to the men. Another violence trigger is indiscriminate consumption of alcoholic drinks. The data provided by the Family Protection Brigade (Graphs 5 and 6) show that in physical violence cases, 61% of the aggressors were drunk. As highlighted by Lilian Lara, the Challapata SLIM agent, (women) suffer from the three types of violence: psychological - because they are subjected to humiliation, insults and threats; physical - because alcohol leads to mistreatment... However, Graph 6 shows that in psychological violence cases, 65% of the aggressors were sober. This explains why this type of violence is becoming more common than others.

Graph 3. Levels of education among victims of physical violence.

Graph 4. Levels of education among victims of psychological violence.

Graph 5. Inebriation of aggressors and use of alcohol and/or drugs in physical violence cases. Source: Police Brigade for the Protection of Families

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Graph 6. Inebriation of aggressors and use of alcohol and/or drugs in psychological violence cases.

Graph 8. Victim - aggressor relationship in physical violence cases.

Graph 9. Victim - aggressor relationship in psychological violence cases.

Graph 7. Justifications given by aggressors for physical violence.

The data provided by the Brigade also shows that family violence occurs mainly after couples arguments (37%). This explains why in most cases, the aggressors are those people closest to the women as is shown in the Graphs 8 and 9. In psychological violence cases, 47% of aggressors are the victims husbands or partners. In physical violence, stepfathers comprise 42% and husbands 41%.

From a macro analysis, the women who took part in the workshops believed that another influence is the proliferation of TV spots and videos which encourage violence. These spots are the ones that youth view most. Youth reproduce stereotypes which do not belong to their own culture, such as the creation of gangs and the consumption of alcohol, which can trigger sexual violence cases. They also identified the lack of preventive information and coordination among Challapata institutions related to the violence issue, particularly gender-based violence, as contributors to womens ignorance

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about the laws that protect their rights and the inadequate orientation on the processes to follow to file a complaint. Many times, the roles assigned to the women (housework, raising children, and agricultural labor) contribute to womens exclusion from political affairs in their communities. In spite of the fact that in the latest decades women have entered into commerce and have become authorities and leaders in Indigenous organizations, there have only been minor changes in connection with their gender roles. Indigenous women are challenging some paradoxes they notice among their own communities, such as the parity between men and women, in connection with the high domestic violence levels. Other negative influences include the urban lifestyle, seasonal migrations, poverty levels that marginalize the poorest and the quest for new opportunities in the cities. In Challapata, these include illegal economic activities (smuggling, drug trafficking, etc.). These elements undermine the cross-cultural influence and breach the family nucleus.

suffers from violence most (CEFOI). Graph 10 shows that the majority of women who are victims of physical violence (57%) are between 18 to 30 years old and another 34% are between 31 to 45 years old. The cases where violence is exercised against children under 12 (5%) are usually committed by their parents or, in many cases, by close relatives. The causes are too many to cite, but include the environment of temporary family separations, due to disagreements, seasonal migrations, work issues or economic activity. Usually, in reported cases of violence against adolescents aged between 13 and 17, the aggressors in the physical and sexual violence events are their partners or colleagues. From June 2011, DNA has started to assist in more cases of physical and sexual violence against adolescents. Data collected in the workshops that took place in schools through the Reducing Gender-Based Violence in Bolivia program showed that violence between adolescents is an increasing phenomenon. One example is sexual violence cases in which the aggressors are male adolescents who are involved in criminal activities, consuming alcohol and/or influenced by negative media images as discussed earlier. Graph 10 also shows that the group with the smallest number of filed complaints is adult or elderly women, although violence and mistreatment continues for all women. Violence is often triggered by economic issues such as, the dispossession of the elders lands by their own children and relatives. Another type of violence is abandonment and, in particular, the abandonment of elderly women. An element that has been mentioned several times is that women in remote and isolated communities are not aware of the institutions that provide assistance and services for victims of violence. When services did exist they are often underfunded and understaffed and the staff is not properly trained. Challapata opened a DNA in 2002, but the DNA representative was also expected to fulfill SLIM services during the prior three years without extra staffing, funding or facilities. After extensive lobbying by JUDES and the members of the local violence prevention network, SLIM was funded and SLIM and its respective budget, was incorporated into the Municipal Annual

Graph 10. Ages of women victims of physical violence in Challapata.

The data provided by the Brigade show that women are victims of family violence throughout their lives. There are cases of girls who suffer from sexual abuse, but there are also cases of old women who were also sexually abused. So, I couldnt tell which group

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Operational Plan in September 2010. In June 2011, SLIM finally had a professional staffer to assist women who were the victims of violence. While the improvements are great, weakness that prevent DNA and SLIM from providing quality care, such as a shortage of staff (assistant and psychologist), slowed down the processes. The Municipal Government did not consider their work to be a social priority and there was insufficient publicity of the services they did provide. On the other hand, the Family Protection Brigade had four units of more than 1,500 people to cover peoples demands. In spite of its flaws, so far the Brigade comprises a resource for the people of Challapata, according to the interviewees. The Brigade is open 24 hours a day, in contrast with DNA, which provides assistance only during business hours from Monday to Friday. To coordinate the efforts of SLIM, DNA and Brigade, the Public Prosecutor recently assigned a Provincial Prosecutor, similar to the forensic medical examiner for the San Juan de Dios Hospital. Officials of DNA and the Brigade mentioned that there were times when they could not fulfill their tasks, not because of the lack of financial or human resources, but because sometimes people consider domestic violence an issue that must be solved within the family and reject their efforts. As Sof. Mayor, Jeannet Pereira, Chief of Challapatas Police Brigade for the Protection of Families explained, Although our mission is to help women who are victims of violence, sometimes we cant help. Not because we dont want to, but because the women themselves prevent us from doing our job. On one occasion, we went for a case in which a man beat his wife. When we tried to interfere, the relatives and neighbors got aggressive and one of my officials ended up with her nose broken and, even worse, the woman hid the man when we were trying to arrest him. Some of the women interviewed added that sometimes they are discriminated by some nonIndigenous officials (mainly when asking for care at hospitals), which hinders the complaints about violence even more.

Photo 2. Workshop on Family Violence by the Challapata Police Brigade for the Protection of Families

Only a few of the NGOs in the Municipality focus on domestic violence. The majority focus on projects aimed to mitigate the gaps in the educational and productive sector. CEFOI which works with youth, included the issue of gender-based violence throughout its programming. The human rights NGO, PDA Esperanza/Visin, active in Challapata for approximately 10 years, focuses on Indigenous peoples, in particular women, and incorporates efforts to protect their rights into its projects. Other NGOs are interested in the issues, but did not yet have expertise. Lastly, it is worth mentioning that the political internal problems of the party presently administering the municipal government have led to administrative insecurity and frequent staff changes at all levels, including the Municipal Human Rights Director. The changes in staff negatively impact efforts to serve victims of violence. The political instability arises due to political disagreements between activists from different parties. This affects the municipal management, for there are rumors regarding the Mayors removal, the change of the Municipal Councils President, etc. Despite these political conflicts, it can be seen that since the assumption of President Morales government, there is a revaluation of the Indigenous identity. This is especially true in Challapata with its large Indigenous population and where the Jatun Killaka Asanajaqis Original

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Indigenous Nation (JAKISA), CONAMAQ and the Seven Ayllus are located. These organizations have women in responsible positions (Mama Thallas). The constitutional priority of womens participation and inclusion into the government had a multiplying effect on the Indigenous population. Thus, the Bartolina Sisa Indigenous Women Organization gained importance within Challapata due to its identification with the President Morales and his policies for change. Indigenous authorities of JAKISA also became interested in training initiatives for women leaders so their members can be key actors in the regional and national political arenas. In the municipal environment, social and political conditions favor the governing party (MAS) because the democratically elected authorities belong to this party. This is also true of other public institutions. This was helpful to the program, as the policies of the ruling party favor inclusion of women in all areas. The programs efforts to educate the public on the new plural legal and justice system were well received by both the Indigenous and the municipal authorities.

3. Collection and Analysis of Experiences of the Reducing GenderBased Violence in Bolivia Program in Challapata
JUDES tried to reduce violence against women through improving care and prevention efforts. Thus, three main objectives were proposed: i) increasing knowledge and reducing negative attitudes about gender-based violence in service providers, parents, high school students and the communities that make up the municipality; ii) reinforcing and enhancing technical skills and capacities of service provides and improving the DNA-SLIM institutional relationship and coordination; and iii) fostering the empowerment of a group of women leaders who represent the community, making them into a network that would become the recognized source of information, training and advocacy to reduce violence.

JUDES implemented several preparatory activities to design the best intervention strategy. These included analyzing existing policies and institutional structures and identifying key partner institutions. JUDES held multiple meetings to make arrangements and develop alliances at a departmental level. Some of the government organizations include: Departmental Police Headquarters (Provincial Police and Provincial Family Protection Brigade), local Family Protection Brigade, District Superior Court (Provincial Court), Department of Oruro Service for Education (SEDUCA) and Department of Oruro Health Services (SEDES). At the municipal level, JUDES developed institutional agreements with the Challapatas Honorable Municipal City Hall and the Municipal Council. This enabled JUDES to coordinate activities with DNA and to form a local violence prevention network, the Municipal Network against Violence, with interested CSOs. Likewise, thanks to the relationship developed with SEDES, JUDES forged a partnership with the San Juan de Dios Hospital. Similarly, thanks to the connection with SEDUCA, JUDES was able to build linkages with the District Board of Education for the province. At a local level, JUDES engaged with Human Rights of Challapata and with Radio FIDES. JUDES built on existing relations with Indigenous organizations, such as the 7 Ayllus, and Authorities of the Nation of Jatun Quillaka Asanajaqi. In the framework of the first objective, JUDES organized trainings and train-the-trainer workshops in local educational institutions with the help of the District Board of Education for the province. For this purpose, activities were coordinated together with the School Directors. Similar trainings were held across Challapata, coordinated with the Challapata District Education Board. JUDES held 16 training workshops for teachers and parents from school boards of each participating school. Altogether, there were 712 participants. The workshops for the school boards were led by the trainers from JUDES and supported by a trainer from DNA or the Technical section of the Board of Education for the province. Later, the teachers were in charge of replicating the training. The teachers then held 31 workshops with 714 high school students. In the city center, six schools offered

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replication training for students. In the more isolated outlying areas, replication trainings were held in all 13 Communities of the Challapata Municipality.

with the local violence prevention network to meet the second and third objectives included: trainings and orientations to DNA staff on the legal changes mandated by the new constitution; gathering data on 300 cases of violence to provide a model for improved data collection and tracking, coordination among agencies, and transparency through sharing data with the public; advocacy efforts with municipal authorities to push for more funding for DNA and SLIM to improve staffing and provide appropriate facilities with privacy, etc.; a variety of public outreach and education efforts, such as the public fair, Vivir Bien (To Live Well in English and Takuy Rikuy in the Indigenous language). JUDES led a training workshop for health care providers at the San Juan de Dios Hospital to improve the care of victims and the collection of evidence for possible prosecutions. JUDES played a major role in developing the local violence prevention network, the Municipal Network against Gender-Based Violence. (Described in detail in section 4.) JUDES developed such a strong relationship with the Family Protection Brigade that Brigade members regularly served as trainers in JUDES workshops. The advocacy effort with the Municipal Government led to important positive changes and access to all the key stakeholders. The effort culminated in increased budgets for the DNA and SLIM and the incorporation of budgetary support for the two agencies in the Challapata 2011 Municipal Annual Operational Plan, making it hard to cut in the future. JUDES submitted a Project Profile to the municipal official that summarized the newly evolving legal requirements for protecting women from violence and documented the SLIMs financial and physical needs. JUDES also led similar advocacy effort to improve support for a DNA. At the same time, JUDES provided DNA with legal advice and the support of a pro-bono lawyer to resolve 49 cases and supported the collection, tracking and dissemination of data on cases of gender-based violence reported to DNA. For the first time, DNA, the Brigade, and the San Juan de Dios General Hospital cooperated to provide JUDES with data on 492 cases of genderbased violence. JUDES then compiled the data in an easily used database and analyzed the data for

Photo 3. Workshop to train Challapata women.

Further activities related to objective 1 included four workshops for 84 Indigenous men and women: two in the outlying areas and two in the central area. The training made complex legal issues interesting and accessible to the participants. Information about SLIM and DNA was also provided. The training workshops began by guiding participants as they reflected on the impacts of violence in the heart of the family in their lives and their communities. The workshops then reviewed womens legal rights in general and for victims of violence (as laid out in the new constitution and Law N 1674); reviewed available government supports and services for violence survivors, including the functions and responsibilities corresponding DNAs and SLIMs; and introduced models of citizen oversight and community advocacy. The training workshops were carefully developed in simple language that would be easy to understand and in the participants native languages. This was vital to make Indigenous women welcome, to create an environment for open dialogue, and to facilitate the collection of opinions and suggestions. A few of the many activities JUDES implemented

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coordination among the three, such as which victims went on to receive services from SLIM and increases or decreases in the violence cases handled in the three institutions. JUDES used a data collection model which ensured that information was collected on the same points and in the same way in the three institutions. This information will be used to raise awareness of gender-based violence and help drive information based policies to reduce violence and better serve its victims. The training for the health care providers in the San Juan de Dios General Hospital used the same methodology to raise awareness among the staff on the realities faced by the victims of genderbased violence and the womens rights. The staff learned about best practices for caring for victims and handling cases from a legal perspective. The workshop also developed communication channels among the hospital, Family Protection Brigade, DNA, SLIM and the local violence prevention network, the Municipal Network Against Gender-Based Violence for the first time. The workshop exposed that: i) healthcare providers had not received information about violence from another perspective other than health; ii) there was no coordination or any kind of relationship among the institutions that work with victims of violence to share or officially report cases of extreme physical, psychological and sexual violence; and iii) the service providers were not using the existing forms provided by the Ministry of Health and Sports to report cases of gender-based violence, claiming they did not have sufficient time. To fulfill the third objective, support the training of the women leaders participating in the program in the protection of their rights and Against genderbased violence, JUDES first identified women leaders and NGOs with expertise or an interest in supporting womens rights to join together into a local violence prevention network. They named themselves the Municipal Network Against Violence. Members participated in multiple training workshops and public education and advocacy activities. They became the trainers and leaders in following efforts. JUDES ensured that Indigenous women were involved from the beginning and played key leadership roles. JUDES and the Municipal Network against Violence also worked to strengthen local

CSOs with the potential to play a positive role, such as the Organization of Indigenous Women Bartolina Sisa and women from the Kulta Community.

Photos 4 and 5. Training workshops for women leaders from Indigenous organizations in Challapata (JAKISA headquarters).

The new organization, Mujeres de Challapata, grew out of these activities. A participant in a training workshop requested another training and help in initiating a new group for the women of Challapata. FIDES Radio/Challapata broadcast an open invitation to the workshops and meetings. After several attempts, the workshops were held and the women formed Mujeres de Challapata. JUDES helped them to develop the rules and

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statutes necessary to become a legal entity. This kind of success has a multiplier effect. For example, the President of Mujeres de Challapata was later elected to the town council and became a member of the Challapata Civic Committee with the Gender Secretary (Secretara de Gnero). In that post, she is the liaison to the Office of the Mayor. In the training workshops for the three Indigenous women organizations, topics included an analysis of gender-based violence from a socio-cultural approach, differences between sex and gender, the types of violence and the new legal framework that supports and protect victims of violence. Subsequent workshops reinforced these topics to develop local leaders and experts. JUDES encouraged the participants to share the information they had learned with other women within their environment. The goal was to develop a corps of local promotoras, or grassroots advocates for womens rights. Parallel to all the above-mentioned activities, JUDES implemented a public education and outreach effort using publications and local media, in particular radio in Indigenous languages. Radio FIDES which broadcast the training workshops and the public education radio spots developed JUDES and the Human Rights office of Challapata. Later, the Construir Foundation expanded the use of radio spots to deepen public understanding and move society away from acceptance of gender-based violence as normal. The dissemination through the mass media (radio and TV) focused on raising the visibility of the new network, the Municipal Network Against Violence. The outreach and education efforts enhanced the activities and were effective in raising awareness among the public-at-large.

grew out of efforts by JUDES and other local NGOs to work with municipal authorities on policies to reduce violence against women. The original efforts were uncoordinated, but the women responded quickly to the leadership of JUDES, and came together in a network of civil society organizations to increase their impact and efficiency. The Reducing Gender-Based Violence in Bolivia program provided a structure and funding for training and capacity building that allowed the new network to become a recognized leader in womens rights. In light of the realities detailed above in Section 2, the citizens of Challapata began to demand solutions to the many destructive problems. The NGO, Comprehensive Training Center, CEFOI (Centro de Formacin Integral), responded to the proliferation of violent events in Challapata caused by excessive alcohol consumption, especially among the youths. CEFOI took the initiative to call public meetings to bring together public institutions, social and civic organizations, and citizens to discuss issues related to alcoholism, violence and young gangs and to raise awareness among authorities, officials and members of institutions and organizations focused on violence caused by alcoholism. It was our institution CEFOIs initiative that called the meetings because of public demand for solutions to alcohol, crime and violence problems. The number of institutions that took part in the quest for solutions was significant. After three meetings, the idea of creating a committee related to these problems came out. The Network grew out of that proposal. Dr. Nstor Suarez Rocabado, head of the Educational Area JUDES, as the local lead NGO of the Reducing GenderBased Violence in Bolivia program, presented the objectives and goals to the DNA representative and facilitated a second meeting that included the Municipal Council, DNA and CEFOI. At this meeting, the officials recognized JUDES and the program. The authorities clarified their institutional functions and responsibilities related to combating violence. The NGOs discussed the negative impact of the violence in their communities. After discussing the problems, the group decided to form a local network that included all the organizations to jointly formulate

4. Case Study: The Local Violence Prevention Network, Municipal Network Against Violence and the , Fight Against Gender-Based Violence
The local violence prevention network in Challapata

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and implement solutions. At the third meeting JUDES pushed for the network to focus on the broader issue of gender rights, beyond the original narrower focus on the relationship between alcohol and violence. JUDES put forward several suggestions for network members to ensure broad representation from the organizations and institutions of Challapata. The invitees included: Indigenous authorities from the seven Ayllus and JAKISA, the Challapata Civic Committee, Organization Indigenous Women Bartolina Sisa, the Office of Human Rights, and the NGO, PDA Esperanza/Visin Mundial, CEFOI and Municipal Council member, Prof. Sergia Jorge. Other members were drawn from official institutions, such as DNA, the Challapata Hospital, the Asanaques Municipal Network, the Bolivian Police, and justice authorities. The program always included men and stakeholders from officials from municipal agencies as well as civil society to build buy-in from all levels of society and achieve the broadest possible impact in the long-run. An ad hoc committee2 was formed during the first roundtable dialogue on August 24, 2010. The ad hoc committee became the local violence prevention network named Municipal Network Against Gender-Based Violence. Participants included 38 representatives of organizations and institutions (73% women) and representatives from departmental authorities, such as Servicio Departamental de Gestin Social de la Gobernacin de Oruro (SEDEGES). On September 13, the Ad Hoc Director called the second roundtable dialogue. Roundtable dialogue, where it was proposed, Eradicate gender-based violence from the Municipality of Challapata, developing actions and activities intended to prevent and address gender-based violence, contributing to the human development with the participation of civil society and all the Municipal institutions. They established the following objectives to fulfill their mission: Reduce family violence, Raise awareness on the problem of violence,

initiating educational and informational activities, Contribute to human development, fighting against inequality between men and women, Develop permanent programs to prevention and address violence against women, Initiate and coordinate actions through workshops and activities about gender-based violence, and Ensure the SLIM is fully operational, fully funded, and included in the 2011 Municipal Operational Plan. The Networks goal was to establish itself as an organization capable of successfully implementing activities intended to decrease the violence of any type in the Challapata Municipality through its members. The Network would provide through its member institutions coverage and support to all sectors of society for gender equality and equity. At the same time, it would encourage respect for the individual values and rights of every person. In the short run, immediate goals were: i) provide follow up to already scheduled activities (September 23 fair, Rights and Responsibilities of Childhood and Adolescence), ii) establish a committee to elaborate Statutes and Regulations (JUDES and CEFOI were founding members), iii) JUDES proposed gathering signatures in Challapata to support the advocacy efforts on the 2011 municipal budget, and iv) CEFOI announced that the program Careful with Violence (Ojo Con la Violencia) announced by PADEM had won and would receive 3,500 BS to be used for Network activities. The Networks President, Prof. Sergia Jorge, points out that the Networks creation was a preoccupation of Challapatas institutions, in particular CEFOI and the Hospital. Through the District Office the school boards were invited and then JUDES. Out of this grew a network of representatives of each institution. I assumed the presidency as a representative of the group. The vice-president position was occupied by Mr. Armando Barrera, representing the city hall. Ms. Gregoria Barcaya represented Bartolina Sisa and Nstor Suarez represented CEFOI.

2 The Networks Board of Directors include: President: H. Sergia Jorge (Municipal Council); Vice-president: Armando Barrera (Director of Challapata HAM Human Development); Recording Secretary: Nstor Surez (CEFOI); Relations Secretary: Gregoria Lpez (Bartolina Sisa; Advertising and Press Secretary: JUDES; Committee member 1: Rosemary Bentez (Challapatas Civic Committee); Committee member 2: Paulino Cruz (JAKISA).

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Network activities focused on the creation and funding of SLIM. Toward that end, the Network implemented a citizen mobilization strategy to collect signatures from Challapata citizens to support SLIM. This first project was designed by JUDES with input from CEFOI. The project successfully collected signatures to lobby municipal authorities. They were also used as the basis for the municipal summit on the 2011 annual operational plan. Both advocacy efforts called for the creation and funding of SLIM, with a budget of Bs. 50.000. Although there was a delay in appointing staff, SLIM was fully funded for operation from June 2, 2011. The professional hired to lead SLIM described her function as, To influence or advocate by providing orientation and legal advice to all the people that consult the office and also to the community promotoras in their respective communities. The SLIM representative believes bringing together a group of a trained group of women into a functioning network is an important impact. This was achieved through the implementation of the Program by JUDES with the following indigenous organizations: JAKISA, Bartolina Sisa, 7 Ayllus and Mujeres Challapatea. The advocacy and outreach of the Municipal Network Against Gender-Based Violence is raising awareness among women that institutions exist to protect them. In some ways I have listened to a lot of women who believe that these workshops are important, as some of them dont have a lot of education and are not aware of the rules and institutions which protect them. They say that it would be much better to have permanent workshops to inform them about their rights and how to turn to assistance institutions such as SLIM. The Network is achieving a lot. Dr. Miriam Condomis Santos, head of DNA. Challapata The Networks visibility was also included in the Program activities. The support helped the Network develop a professional image in the Municipality, which had a positive effect on the public call for a march against violence on November 25 and allowed the Network to introduce itself to Challapata and its local institutions. With the same approach, the Network participated in the public event announcing the Municipalitys Challapata

Declaration: Challapata is a Municipality without Violence on the same day. Both events built the Networks reputation fighting gender-based violence. The impact of the Network on the population is the linkages and coordination among member institutions and organizations, particularly with DNA and SLIM. Dr. Jos Len, Director of Challapata Human Rights, said: Regarding public institutions, I think the Network greatest strength is with DNA and SLIM, as they have a pretty close relationship with the Network. The Community Advocates, who come from three Indigenous organizations and one social civic organization, represent the Municipal Network Against Gender-Based Violence with victims of gender violence at the SLIM. The Community Advocates act as intermediaries for the women, following them and reporting cases. In addition, the Network and the highest municipal authority began a campaign Collecting signatures from the public for a functioning SLIM. This signature campaign was carried out in the natural concentrations of people, such as fairs and markets. Moreover, the Network and CEFOI brought together the Schools (Unidades Educativas) of Challapata to mobilize a March Against Violence. Finally, it is worth mentioning the Networks successful participation in the Municipal Summit/Municipal Charter 2011. Charter 2011 and the networks. The key conditions for the Networks operation are based on the commited support of its members. This support is the basis of the Networks sustainability: () the conditions arose from the commitments made by the institutions which presently make up the network. For example, the District Education Office that committed to undertake the task of training on gender violence in the educational establishments. Dr. Lilian Lara, Director, Challapata SLIM The Network meets once a month. Each member institution updates the others on their activities. They also provide information about future activities. The Network meetings create channels for institutional coordination that encourage joint and collaborative work. For instance, at the meeting held in July, the

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Hospital Social Worker was organizing alcoholism workshops for students and CEFOI offered to send presenters, DNA and FIDES Radio also offered to participate, and the Network President, representing the Municipal Council, committed to provide refreshments. When JUDES held activities, it counted among its presenters the Networks President, who spoke on the new constitution and laws, and representatives of the SLIM and DNA, who discussed the services provided by the two institutions. When the Programs activities were held in Challapatas remote outlying communities, they were able to call on the staff of the District Education Office to collaborate on inviting and mobilizing parents. In some cases, the Office of Human Rights provided transportation. If it werent for the collaboration of DNA, SLIM, CEFOI and JUDES, the Network would fall apart. If I were the only one in charge, it wouldnt work (Prof. Sergia Jorge Municipal Councilor and President of the Municipal Network against Violence). Network efforts are based on the joint work of all the member institutions and organizations. This method has had a positive impact, as it united all the member institutions and organizations to work together in the struggle Against gender-based violence.

The Networks future objective is to have the support of more organizations that work in the area of gender-based violence. It also aspires to get its legal status (personera juridical.) We were born with a name but we lack the rest. We have a statute developed by JUDES, but to keep growing and working in collaboration with other institutions whether theyre NGOs or public institutions we need legal status. This is a goal for the future (Prof. Sergia Jorge, Municipal Council Member, and President of the Municipal Network against Violence).

5. Impacts of the Reducing GenderBased Violence in Bolivia Program Undertaken in the Municipality of Challapata
The Program in the Challapata Municipality succeeded in raising awareness among the beneficiaries of the legal regulations that protect women. The trainings and replication workshops, with information on social and cultural issues and the new legal framework raised the consciousness of the participants. The participants now: i) know and can identify the different types of genderbased violence; ii) know about the policies and laws that protect women and prevent violence; iii) are aware of the services provided DNA and SLIM; iv) participate in proactive activities against violence; and v) can count on educational authorities who are now predisposed to include the topic of violence prevention into the educational curriculum. Before JUDES brought the Program to Challapata, the municipality did not show any interest and did not provide sufficient resources for gender programs. SLIM was not open and DNA did not offer the security or privacy needed to provide services for victims of gender-based violence. Moreover, we believe the efforts to mobilize students and parents solely to raise awareness and change attitudes on gender-based violence were fundamentally important. Thanks to this mobilization, the school groups (juntas escolares, similar to Parent-Teacher Associations in the U.S.)

Photo 6. Regular meeting of the member organizations of the local Violence Prevention Network The Municipal Network Against Violence. (Red Gallery of Challapatas Municipal City Hall)

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became a locus for collaborative efforts to reverse the violence trend permanently. Another central factor was the active participation of Indigenous authorities and their willingness to bring the issue of gender-based violence to their Indigenous organizations. The local violence prevention network, Municipal Network Against Violence, must be analyzed in light of this background and these successes. The Network has succeeded in reducing violence. For instance, in the short run, carrying out prevention tasks together with local NGOs and the newly formed Community Advocates will follow women through the system, providing support, making sure they are aware of the services available along the way, and ensuring the multiple offices coordinate care. The Community Advocates will also push for cases to be correctly tracked in the new data tracking system. The Network serves the community by ensuring victims of violence are receiving care. Even though the Network has approved Statutes and Regulations, its legal institutionalization is still pending. When it completes the requirements, it will receive legal status. Legal standing will support the Networks permanence and sustainability both at a municipal and departmental level. Recognition from the Human Development Office of the Oruro Government will allow the Network to serve as a resource for and more effectively advocate to public and state officials and organizations as an active and consolidated Network in its struggle against violence. If the local organizations that make up the Network keep their commitments to prevent and reduce violence, the Network structure will give them the strength they need to perform the tasks to fulfill this purpose. Through the organizations that make up the Network, we know that if an institution is not present or gives up in the meetings, this means that an activity wont be carried out or it will have less support. All of us who make up this Network are committed to working to prevent and reduce violence. So the sustainability, is based in the associated institutions. One of the weaknesses of the Network is the temporality of the NGOs in Challapata. The

Network is young and was first structured around projects funded from outside. The projects made the Network dynamic and strengthened the organizations, without creating dependency. The DNA representative said, I think that the Network is working because there is dynamism of the Networks president and on the other hand the ability of JUDES and others to bring together institutions. Bringing together institutions and having them participate is hard. So, just like the president, JUDES, has played a very important role .The Psychologist from the Office of Human Rights said, JUDES has the reason for many of the Networks achievements. The project which is been active since last year has also helped the Network, which has identified itself with JUDES. I think that this is because whenever we speak about the Network, we cannot possibly overlook JUDES. In view of this situation, sometime soon the Network will have to assimilate the NGOs experiences and learned lessons in implementing the projects, incorporating them into future actions to support and influence projects in the Office of Gender of the Municipality of Challapata, and thus respond to womens needs. However, its important to highlight that the Network will survive only with the support of the authorities, institutions and the public in general.

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2
Aynisuyu: Land of Reciprocity
Punata Municipality Department of Cochabamba

AYNISUYU means the Land of Reciprocity in Quechua. AYNISUYU is a non-profit Private Institute of Social Development with no political party affiliation. It was created in 1994 in the city of Cochabamba by professionals interested in the development of Bolivia, particularly in the community development from the rural municipalities of Cochabamba. AYNISUYU encourages and carries out comprehensive development programs in the rural communities of the Department of Cochabamba, Valle Alto and Cono Sur. Its programs focus on the problems of the most depressed social sectors of the Bolivian society, especially that of women and children. AYNISUYU promotes its self-sustainable development by means of the beneficiaries direct participation. Currently, it works in Valle Alto from its headquarters in Cochabamba, developing training efforts for personnel of the DNAs (Defensoras de la Niez y Adolescencia), SLIMs (Servicios Legales Integrales Municipales), psycho-pedagogical departments, Family Protection Brigades (Brigada de Proteccin a la Familia), health professionals, teachers, parents, students, and grassroots organizations.

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1. Background of the Reducing Gender-Based Violence in Bolivia Program in Punata

The Province of Punata is located in the middle part of the Department of Cochabamba. To the north, it borders the province of Chapare, to the northeast, the province of Tiraque, to the east, the province of Arani, to the southeast, the province of Mizque, to the south, the province of Esteban Arce, and to the west, the province of Germn Jordn. Punata has a population of 47,735 inhabitants.

averages. As for superior education, there is the Polytechnic University Institute (IPU, in Spanish), a branch of the Mayor de San Simn University.

2. The Reality of Gender-Based Violence in Punata

Due to the socio-cultural conditions in the Municipality of Punata, gender-based violence is still a common mechanism used to maintain the unequal and power relationships between men and women. This causes the submission of women and discrimination in public and private areas. In such conditions, men use violence to punish and force women to satisfy their wishes and needs, cutting down and abolishing their rights and putting them at risk for their physical, sexual and psychological integrity. Women are victims of violence because the man, because he is a man, believes he is the strongest being and the one who makes the decisions. We still have a male chauvinist culture and the causes of violence are alcohol consumption, economic problems and the influence of society itself, in which one lives according to the traditions and customs. Janeth Rocha, Recording Secretary of the Women Central and Community Defender.

Graph 11. Punata Population

Punata has moderate poverty, with a rate of 44.9% in 10,874 inhabitants. The national measure of poverty is 58.5% with unmet basic needs and the Department of Punatas level its 55% with unmet basic needs. Analyzing health services, the province has a second level hospital, the Reference Dr. Manuel Ascencio Villarroel Hospital, in the city of Punata, serving Valle Alto. There are hospitals in the rest of the municipalities and health posts in the communities. Finally, with regard to education, the percentages of primary and secondary education in Punata are greater than the national and departmental

Graph 12. Victims of Violence by Gender.

These assertions are confirmed by the data collected by the Family Protection Brigade (Brigada de Proteccin a la Familia) (Graph 12) which shows that

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the population sector most affected by violence is still comprised by women (82%). Although the percentage of males who are attacked has risen, it is not a significant increase. It can be concluded that one of the risk factors for violence is being a woman.

Graph 14 shows that the aggressors are usually the womens own partners (68%), either husbands or partners. Several of the officials interviewed believe that, for this reason, adult women are the most vulnerable when it comes to violence, as its the age range in which women usually live with a man. This group is more vulnerable because they live with their husbands or partners. They have developed a type of relationship and coexistence characterized by violence. Obviously, with the knowledge they now have that women can file complaints, the number of this kind of cases is increasing and we are learning more. Dr. Jhimy Alegre. Head of the Transparency Unit, and past SLIM personnel. The different stakeholders that make up the local violence prevention network, the Inter Institutional Committee on Human Development, and public officials agree that the alcohol consumption is one of the main triggers of violence in the Municipality of Punata. Most of the cases that we handle are of physical and psychological violence. In most of these cases people come home drunk, both the victim and aggressor. This is why the office is full during the fair, on Tuesday Market days and on the weekends Cpl. Zunilda Mamani, Police Brigade for the Protection of Families While alcohol consumption is not the cause of violence, it is a significant risk factor. Alcohol is a disinhibiting substance. It is a stimulant that can trigger violent actions. These have to do with the unequal power relationships discussed earlier. Graph 15 shows that, more and more cases are being registered in which the aggressor has not consumed alcoholic drinks. Attacker sobriety has increased from 20% in 2010 to 55% in 2011.

Graph 13. Age of Female Victims of Violence

In addition to gender, another risk factor is age. As shown in chart Graph 13, adult women between 31 to 45 years of age are at the greatest risk for violence. This is corroborated by the SLIMs psychologist: According to the work experiences in the office, even more so than is shown in the statistics, more adult women have come in to both the Defensora [DNA] and the SLIM. Specifically, these are cases of physical violence. There are more adult women affected, perhaps, because of the male chauvinism that exists in the Municipality of Punata, Francisca Orellana, SLIM psychologist.

Graph 14. Relationship with Aggressor

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Another fact that proves that the aggressors inebriation is not a cause but a trigger is the data on the reasons given for the violence. Graph 17 shows that in the cases handled by Family Protection Brigade, the most frequent excuses given for violence are: family problems (37%) and jealousy (20%). In the socio-cultural context, this data demonstrate that the cases are closely related to the

Graph 15. Sober vs Inebriated 2010

Fuente: Brigada de Proteccin a la Familia Graph 18. Types of Violence

Although graph 18 shows that the most frequent type of violence is physical violence, nonetheless, during the first semester of 2011, the percentage of psychological violence cases increased. We must remember that in one of the Committees meetings, the District Prosecutor had an initiative to hand out leaflets encouraging people to file a complaint against psychological violence. I believe this had an impact on the number of complaints, Dr. Wilford Garvizu, Judge (Juez de Partido)

Graph 16. Sober vs Inebriated June 2011

Graph 19. Treatment of inter-family violence cases in Punata from 2007 through June 2011. Developed with data provided by the National Health System (Sistema Nacional en Salud, SNIS) and the Punata Family Protection Graph 17. Motive for Violence Brigade (FPB) and SLIM.

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The data on treatment provided by the three institutions that serve victims of gender of violence in the Punata Municipality the SLIM, the Punata Hospital and the Family Protection Brigade (FPB) demonstrate that the institution that provides care for the greatest number of victims in Punata is the Family Protection Brigade. The data also shows that on average, five cases of gender-based violence are reported per day. This number proves that gender violence is a critical problem in the municipality. As it can be seen in Graph 19, the number of cases has increased in the last two years. Violence against women has always been a significant problem in the municipality. However, in the last years, more complaints are been filed as women became more aware of their rights and services that protect them. Women no longer see violence as a normal act. They have the power to decide by themselves and to file a complaint and make their rights be respected. The Police Brigade, with its training workshops, is also taking action on the matter, defining the roles and responsibilities of each institution. But, among Indigenous authorities, we still see a degree of male chauvinism in which women must be at the service of men. But work has begun with them to change this form of seeing community justice (Tnte. Hilda Gonzles, Head , Punata Family Protection Brigade). Another explanation for the increase in reported cases of gender-based violence is that, recently, the institutions began a statistical analysis of the data. The statistics have increased, but the violence as such in society has always existed. Simply and plainly, it just wasnt included in the statistics. It looks as if it is increasing now, but that is only in the statistics. The increase does not mean that violence has appeared recently, but it has always been present (Dr. Marco Vidal, Prosecutor for Specific Fields (Fiscal de Materia), Punata. In view of the data analyzed and the difference between the institutions, we can also conclude that the referral and counter-referral mechanisms are still weak. The data comparison shows that there are flaws in information management. The forms used to gather data in the different institutions are different.

The Hospital Dr. Manuel Ascencio Villarroel uses the form that corresponds to SNIS (Sistema Nacional en Salud) via the Epidemiological Monitoring Forms). According to these forms, there is an average of 0.3 cases received per day. However, interviews with the doctors who issue the medical certificates, show that they care for an average of one case per shift or per doctor. As there are four doctors who work per day, there approximately four cases per day. The flaws of information management are due to the health care personnel who do not complete the form for referral and counter-referral. The form be used by the Family Protection Brigade is the one provided by the National Police with the support of the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO - N 100). This data source shows that the Brigade, on average, attends to four (4) cases per day. That is, three times the cases of other institutions. Of these, nearly 95% are repeat cases; 80% are committed within the home environment; in 60%of these cases the aggressor is the partner or husband of the victim; 90% the victims are women; and 85% of cases that are referred to other institutions. It is worth mentioning that these indicators are not displayed in other institutions statistics. To analyze the presence and role of the Public Ministry in the Municipality of Punata, first remember that with the improvements to the DNA and SLIM, as the people have more information about these types of institutions, the number cases handled has increased. However, there is still a lack of coordination among the institutions legally required to provide services, handle cases and protect womens rights. These institutions include: DNA, SLIM, Brigade, the Police, Public Ministry, Judicial branch, Sub-prefecture and Chief Magistrates, health sector and schools. This is a product of their isolation, limited logistical conditions, and lack of knowledge of functions and responsibilities. The assistance is restricted, simply and plainly, to a legal sanction or arrest. After that, we encourage psychological sessions and more. But unfortunately, the lack of knowledge, time and many other circumstances make it so the problems in the family and marital life are not resolved. Usually, we tried to give psychological support to the victims from Punata through the DNA

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and SLIM and their psychologists. However, as we dont have other institutions, this kind of support is limited. (Dr. Neil Loredo, Examining Magistrate (Juez de Instruccin) Beyond the flaws mentioned above, it is worth highlighting the significant advances concerning the handling of violence against women cases that are taking place. As explained by the Ms. Lizarraga, the DNA psychologist, In general, its always intended to offer help, from Family Protection Brigade, the DNA, the police themselves, and the court. We try to help the victim, but only in a few cases is a true solution is achieved. The treatment has always been right, but sometimes its hard to sanction the acts. We believe it is vitally important to improve access to gender justice. Proper and timely care of victims is needed to achieve a coordinated, interdisciplinary and intersectorial job. ...the treatment received by the victims was observed to be proper, as these institutions have been trained and sensitized to assume this responsibility. This can be seen when the people who seek these services receive appropriate and warm assistance and while receiving the comprehensive care they express that their husband is changing, etc. This proves that they feel they have the necessary support (Dr. Victor Hugo Saavedra, Physician at the Emergency Ward, Hospital M.A.V.) On the other hand, while there are womens organizations, they are still weak. They still have a narrow vision of demands which they must prioritize. For this reason, their influence and advocacy strategies are not sufficient. Likewise, the organized civil society has not found opportunities to carry out an effective dialog with the municipal institutions nor advocated for policies to advance in their demands. They have not established municipal level strategies to define policies for the benefit of all. For these reasons, we at AYNISUYU consider necessary to join together our efforts to define local policies that encourage the active participation on the part of the civil society and the institutional and state commitment to a common goal: the reduction of gender-based violence.

3. Collection and Analysis of Experiences of the Reducing Genderbased Violence in Bolivia Program in Punata
AYNISUYU began its activities with the aim of increasing understanding and changing attitudes regarding gender-based violence among service providers, women and the public at-large. AYNISUYU implemented the following activities towards that end:

Table 1. Activities implmented to fulfill objective 1 of the program

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A total of 223 people participated in the activities listed in Table 1, of which 57% were women. Among the institutions who participated, the participation of the Office Woman (Central de Mujeres) of the Municipality of Punata, the Feminine Civic Committee and the Local Health Committees must be highlighted. Among the impacts achieved by AYNISUYU, we can mention the support and participation of the DNA and SLIM, which is shown through the increase in reported cases. According to the beneficiaries interviewed, this is because women, thanks to the Program, have more information about the agencies that provide care in these types of cases. However, the same increase in complaints showed the multiple limitations that are still present in the different divisions concerning their capacities and coordination. Above all, in crime cases such as sexual abuse, the assistance system is still weak and deficient. The training workshops enriched knowledge, improving the work of the health department and strengthening relationships with other institutions. The training processes also allowed permitted AYNISUYU and the local violence prevention network to offer programs on violence and mistreatment in schools. The teachers and students showed an increase in understanding and changes in attitude. The children and adolescents who participated in replication trainings gained more knowledge on identifying of the different types of violence and harassment and on the respective procedures to follow to file a complaint. In order to increase the capacity of public institutions to prevent, respond and attend to gender-based violence cases in a timely and proper manner, AYNISUYU and the local violence prevention network carried out the following activities:

Table 2. Activities implmented to fulfill objective 2 of the program

Photo 7. Hearing with the Institutional Committee with the Punata Municipal Council to raise awareness on the legal framework and issues surrounding the issue of gender violence.

Prior to holding public hearings, AYNISUYU and the local violence prevention network first requested a hearing with the Municipal Council to raise awareness and garner the Councils support for the proposed program activities. AYNISUYU and the local violence prevention network obtained a commitment of support from the Municipal Legislative branch for the Program and it activities. In addition, they gained support for greater fiscal support and more appropriate facilities for the DNA and SLIM. We are pleased that since January 2011, as a result of the program activities, the SLIM has relocated to a much larger location. The new site still has some

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restrictions, but provides much better conditions than the old location. At this time, the DNA and SLIM work out of the former Casa del Deportista, which is much closer to the Brigade, the Court and the Public Prosecutors Office. Making good use of the public events to commemorate the Bolivian Womans Day, the local violence prevention network held a large public hearing in coordination with the women organizations (Feminine Civic Committee and Office of Women) and the SLIM, to share a report on the SLIMs efforts in 2010 regarding the handling of cases. The report and hearing successfully raised awareness of the services provided and the commitment of the womens organizations to work to strengthening the SLIM. As a result of this second hearing, apart from paying respect to women, the Municipal Authorities expressed their commitment to fight against gender-based violence: Municipal Mayor, Municipal Council Members, and Regional Commander of Police, School District Director, and Administrative Senior Officer. During the hearing, the Punata Office of Women and the Feminine Civic Committee made presentations on the need for municipal support for a project to construct a multifunctional shelter for victims of violence and child abuse. The other public hearing (activity iii in Table 2) took advantage of the events to commemorate the Rural Womens Day, and the fact that a group of women from Punata had just finished an AYNISUYU training at the AMUPEI Rural Leadership School. AYNISUYU organized a hearing so the women leaders from Punata could express their concerns and seek answers from their officials with the supported by their classmates from other five other municipalities (Arani, Vacas, Tiraque, Quillacollo and Vinto). At this hearing, they analyzed the main problems facing women in the municipality and the limitations on womens organizations as well as the need to develop strategies to strengthen the technical capacities and knowledge of staff of the Punata Mayors office. The hearing conclusions included: the Municipal Executive branch will appoint, through a memorandum, a staff member from the Mayors Office who will be the person in charge of articulating the work with the women organizations

and carrying out the technical assistance services required to make the preparation and operation of projects easier. They raised the need to develop an infrastructure project for a municipal shelter to serve victims of violence and harassment in the region. Ms. Silvia Jardn, Municipal Council Member, has already initiated preliminary actions for the shelter in anticipation that the Municipal Government will allocate the land. They agreed to review possibly available lots to ensure they meet the requirements for construction. The representative of the Network II for Health made a verbal commitment for cooperation and involvement in activities and to sign an institutional agreement. Finally, the Strategic Health Plan is nearly complete, and will emphasize that the prevention of gender-based violence is a decisive health factor. The Strategic Health Plan will be printed in April 2011. In the final meeting (activity iv, Table 2) the womens organizations and the interdisciplinary staff from DNA and SLIM evaluated the advances achieved through the multiple activities. The meeting was proposed by the Feminine Civic Committee to develop activities to ensure the sustainability and continuation of the project. They made plans for the future, including continuing the training activities in the communities and a handbook to encourage better care and greater coordination among service providers. The womens organizations joined with the Valle Alto Inter-Institutional Committee on Human Development to develop the handbook of best practices for handling domestic violence cases and care for victims will be developed with the support of the Forensic Medical Examiners office and in coordination with the health sector and the legally mandated agencies: the DNA, SLIM, Judicial branch, Public Ministry, the Police, and the Family Protection Brigade. In order to meet the proposed goal, the local violence prevention network, the Inter-Institutional Committee on Human Development, lobbied the municipal authorities (Mayor, Council Members, Agency Directors, and multidisciplinary staff ) to participate in the case study analysis. The network also worked with justice officials (Judges, Prosecutors, the Regional Police, Family Protection Brigade), Indigenous authorities, civil society organizations,

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women organizations, public institutions (health and education sectors) to join the demand for better conditions concerning the domestic violence cases. The intervention strategy of this component strengthened a municipal model for handling gender-based violence cases. Using a multi-sectorial training program for legally mandated stakeholders in the public sector (DNA; SLIM, Family Protection Brigade, Health, Public Ministry and the Judicial branch), the Civil Society Organizations raised awareness of the public officials of socio-cultural issues surrounding gender-based violence, the new legal framework, and best practices to more effectively fulfill their duties. The result was the implementation of a regulatory framework which supports their actions and provides guidance and coordination mechanisms. At the same time, the program launched bilingual radio campaigns in Quechua Spanish. Local women leaders participated in multiple radio interviews about the program and its activities as well. These outreach efforts helped inform the citizens on the issues and the public roundtable dialogues. A poster that explained graphically the critical route for victims of violence to follow to get care, including guidance on the different service providers serving survivors of violence and how to navigate the system. These actions led to improvements in the system to collect, share and analyze on gender-based violence within the SLIM, Family Protection Brigade and Health services. The actions also led to a model for case referrals and follow up. Efforts related to the second objective within a three part work strategy: training (information, education); strengthening public institutions; and empowering civil society organizations. The programs successes were due to complementary and overlapping nature of these three aspects. In other words, it is not possible to develop an information and public education process without strengthening the institutions that provide services. It has been clearly shown that the greater the number of prevention and education activities, the greater the increase in number of domestic violence complaints filed with both the SLIM and the Family Protection Brigade. On

the other hand, it would not have been possible to strengthen these institutions if the womens social organizations were not empowered and did not encourage public dialogue to increase the budgets for the SLIM and Family Protection Brigade. The Programs third objective was to encourage leadership and the positioning of women as respected stakeholders in their communities to articulate and support the promotion of good living and the prevention of gender-based violence, and to ensure that care is provided in a timely and efficient manner. As for these objectives, the following activities were performed:
Table 3. Activities implmented to fulfill objective 3 of the program

These activities were designed to encourage the leadership and positioning of the women organizations as community leaders with a track record of raising awareness on and supporting efforts to prevent gender-based violence. For example, they became known for case oversight, pushing for timely and proper handling of cases and supporting the victims through the process. During the Programs first phase, the training process targeted 20 women leaders, who were selected by the womens organizations so that they could

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develop skills and build a social network. The end goal was a combination of individual expertise and organized and combined efforts to best support service providers and promote a culture that rejects and denounces gender-based violence. Using a cascade replication model, the newly trained leaders developed public workshops on gender-based violence. The workshops analyzed the realities in the communities and the new legal framework mandated in the new constitution. Participants then generated proposals for next steps and possible solutions to actively reduce this kind of violence in their communities. Likewise, the activities addressed to adolescents facilitated analysis of the issue of violence in a generational context and perspective and within the school environment. All this was achieved with the group of women leaders and teachers who were also a part of the training process. It is worth mentioning that 1,884 people participated in this process, out of which 62% were women. The activities were implemented with 14 institutions and/or local affiliated organizations, such as: Women Central from the Punata Municipality; the Feminine Civic Committee; Local Health Committees; the representative of National Deputy (Congressional Representative) Deysi Luna; Commander of Family Protection Brigade; Regional Commander of Valle Alto; Leaders of Red II of Punata; Leaders of the national offices of Red II; Health Department Services, SEDES (Servicios Departamentales de Salud); Education Department, SEDUCA (Servicio Departamental de Educacin); Municipal Government of Punata; Honorable Municipal Council of Punata ; Local Health Committees; Strengthening of Rural Networks for Maternal and Child Health, FORSA (Fortalecimiento de Redes Rurales de Salud Materna Infantil); Marie Stopes; Water for People (Aguas para el Pueblo); Global Humanitarian; Municipal Governments of Valle Alto; World Vision; Defensora del Pueblo (Ombudsman); and SWISS CONTACT. The local violence prevention network, the InterInstitutional Committee on Human Development (Comite Interinstitutional de Desarollo Humano), and solidarity networks in the communities grew out of these activities: all led by local women. The Inter-

Institutional Committee on Human Development is formalizing its meetings and coordinating activities both at a prevention level and a capacity building level to improve the institutions in charge of handling the cases of violence. Building and supporting the network and its work encouraged the leadership and positioning of the women organizations as key community stakeholders to articulate and contribute to the prevention of gender-based violence, as well as the timely and proper handling of cases. The Programs second phase focused on training workshops with grassroots organizations and schools, such as replication trainings and activities to tie in with the 8th Human Rights Intercollegiate Competition. During the first semifinal and final from the Tolata Intercollegiate Competition, 2,673 participants (51% women) participated. The wide reach was achieved due to the participation of 22 schools from Valle Alto, 11 Educational District Departments, 12 DNA divisions, the Office of Education, Global Humanitarian of Bolivia, Defensora del Pueblo/Ombudsman, Permanent Assembly for Human Rights, Generational Gender Department of Cochabamba, PDA Tiraque (Area Development Project, Proyecto de Desarrollo rea), PDA Arani and PDA Sumay Kawsay. As part of the Programs second phase, a handbook of best practices for handling domestic violence was jointly developed. The health department, the police, the Family Protection Brigade, DNA, SLIM, the Public Prosecutors Office and the judicial branch all took part in this process with civil society. All these institutions are members of the local violence prevention network, Inter-Institutional Committee on Human Development, which has become stronger with each joint effort.

Photo 8. Legal Working Group: Dr. Gisela Balda, Examining Magistrate (Juez de Instruccin) of the Cliza Municipality, lieutenant Hilda Gonzles and corporal Essy Olmos from Family Protection Brigades of Punata and Cliza.

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This job has been divided in two working groups. The first working group includes the health department and the forensic medical examiner, Ann Bee Lee Aguilar (assigned by the Head of the Forensic Research Institute (Instituto de Investigaciones Forenses) of Sucre) and 23 other interested people. They will develop a method to identify injuries caused by violence and formally certify or attest to the cause of injuries. The second work group includes the Judicial branch, the Public Prosecutors Office, the Police, DNA/SLIM, and the Family Protection Brigade. The group will handle review the operational functions and attributions corresponding to every institution involved.

institution that implement a coordinated, complete, multidisciplinary and intersectoral effort. As this became clear, AYNISUYU focused on the steps needed to form an institution that would bring together and consolidate the many stakeholders into an independent network. Through the NGO Aynisuyu, we have started to call Inter Institutional Committee meetings in which a problem, such as domestic violence, was discussed. Among the groups present were the Family Protection Brigade, SLIM, DNA, the Public Prosecutors Office, and the Judicial branch. Through this institution, a series of meetings, seminars and courses were held. During these meetings, the idea of creating a formal Committee was proposed, so that the organizations could always be linked at an institutional level and be able to contribute to the issue of both domestic and sexual violence Dr. Alex Neil Loredo, Examining Magistrate (Juez de Instruccin) Needless to say that the institutional coordination used a working methodology based on the application of the Law 1674 and the Child Code (Cdigo Nio/Nia) which mandate this coordination. Nonetheless, in most of the cases, these relationships grew out of the efforts to fulfillment the functions corresponding to each of the institutions involved. Actually, we always had to coordinate. We have passed several cases to DNA and the Judge. When the cases were heard, we were always engaged with them. In particular when carrying out raids on the business places where beverages are sold. We had to coordinate with DNA, but, beyond that, beyond the functions of the Bridgade, we never got all together. We didnt have the workshops together with other institutions. This way, weve seen that by working together, having a closer relationship, we fulfill our mandates better and we know the work of the other institutions. We get to know each other Deputy Tnte. Hilda Gonzles, Director, Family Protection Brigade Aware of the fact that this relationship should be stronger as all of the involved institutions shared a single common goal, they agreed to work with one another to carry out an effective analysis on the realities of gender-based violence in Punata.

4. Case Study: the Local Violence Prevention Network, InterInstitutional Committee for Human Development in Valle Alto and Its , Fight Against Gender-Based Violence

Graph 20. Types of Violence

AYNISUYU proposed the development of an intervention strategy based on the three components or essential results shown in Graph 20. Although the development of the local violence prevention network which brings together all the groups that prevent gender-based violence and care for its victims in Punata was not a programs concrete product, the intervention lines put forward by the program, lead to the need to strengthen an

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After several joint meetings, the Inter-Institutional Committee on Human Development in Valle Alto was created. It was created after carrying out an analysis and considering the current reality that Punata and Valle Alto were going through: gender-based violence in all the municipalities. It was founded to provide support and eradicate violence. Although we know thats wont be achieved, but, little by little, we can all help Dr. Roxana Montao, Director, DNA The purpose behind the creation of the InterInstitutional Committee on Human Development is clear in the following comment by Punatas Examining Magistrate, Dr. Neil Loredo: During the meetings the flaws that every institution had came to light. First, those corresponding to Brigade, since it didnt have support, its own health centers, or a clear way to issue the medical certificates. The DNA staff as well as SLIM staff didnt understand their mandates and the roles they would have to assume in these kind of cases, or the limitations of the prosecutors and the Judicial branch. So, in view of all these flaws, weve tried to develop an inter institutional action to allow all of these institutions to collaborate. As the Committee [Inter-Institutional Committee on Human Development] continues to live with these flaws, the work of every institution can be improved or perfected.

The institutions collaborated on the development of a common handbook of best practices in care for victims, prevention of violence and collection of evidence to support potential prosecutions. They worked together to clarify responsibilities, skills, specific functions and mandates needed to provide adequate care. The process helped each institution provide better services to the victims of both domestic and sexual violence. As expressed by the different people and institutions who make up the Committee, this principle has become the engine that makes it work. All the institutions that constitute the Committee share the objective of fighting against violence. This objective includes working and coordinating so that every institution follows the same path in order to ensure that the attackers are punished, but always following proper procedures Dr. Dora Chvez, Examining Magistrate (Juez de Instruccin) We believe that the Committees main goal is the well-being of all the victims of violence from our municipality Dr. Marcelo Vallejos, Doctor of the Manuel Ascencio Villarroel Hospital Without a doubt, the successful development of the Committee is thanks to the fact that all the stakeholders involved in the prevention and handling the violence have been present and are themselves part of the Committee. However, the Committee members themselves identified the DNA SEDES and AYNISUYU as the key actors in the formation stage. I think that if it werent for the AYNISUYUs initiative, we would have never got all together. I am part of the Committee. The invitations and the development of the NGO activities have encouraged the arrangement of meetings and the performance of the activities. Other institutions, such as DNA and SEDES, have also encouraged all of these. Many other authorities, including me, have tried to collaborate, even with a grain of sand Dr. Alex Neil Loredo, Examining Magistrate

Photo 9. Multi Institution Public Fair, Committee Members. November 2010.

Apart from the staff that executed the Program, among other institutions, the presence of the justice

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officials have been essential. Without the judges and the prosecutors, we wouldnt have been able to create the Committee, because they two of the pillars, as the prosecutors investigate the cases and the judges are the ones who judge them. Without them, we couldnt do anything Dr. Alvaro Jaimes, Director, Punata SLIM Its clear that if the Committee did not include them it would not be possible to access justice. The prosecutors and judges share a common commitment and are deeply aware of what managing gender-based violence involves. Without them, it would not have been possible to strengthen the Committee, much less make it effective. The key stakeholders of the Committee included Dr. Neil, Punatas Examining Magistrate, the hospital, the Brigade, DNA and SLIM. Each played a fundamental effort clarifying the roles and responsibilities of each institution to confront these cases. They explained the roles of the Examining Magistrate, the hospital to issue medical certificates, and the SLIM to supports women in any kind of violence case. Above all, they delineated the responsibilities and times for coordination among all of the Committees member institutions. The essential activities are the training workshops, the update and developing a common handbook of best practices for the care of victims of violence. This is a very important document, not only for the Municipality of Punata, but also for all of Valle Alto and even other regions of the department. It was prepared in working groups with the contribution of every institution providing its perspective to support the health and the social area of the civil society. Dr. Jhimy Alegre, Head of Municipal Transparency, Former Head of SLIM The Committee has organized itself according to three areas: prevention, advocacy, and handling of cases. The first arena refers to the fact that every institution can perform an essential task to report cases of violence. The data will be used to treat and prevent violence. Education processes, such as seminars, can help staff in the institutions understand the system and its value. The second arena relates to improving the institutions and agencies that provide services. Collaborative advocacy activities tackled

the need for more support and better systems to address the weaknesses and limitations of every institution. The third element is assistance for victims. Activities in this arena focused on training staff and strengthening agencies charged with the protection of victims and the fight against genderbased violence. In spite of the significant successes in all three areas, there are still several of these activities to be implemented. The activities related to the institutional strengthening are the most valued by the Committees members. During the implementation of the Reducing Genderbased Violence in Bolivia program, several training efforts were implemented. These were addressed, above all, to SLIM and the health department. However, the Committees decision was to make the training strategy multi-sectorial. This way, many of the workshops were implemented with all the stakeholders together, so as to have better results. During the constant meetings where all the stakeholders participated, for instance, the health department included even a forensic medical examiner, who came from the District Public Prosecutors Office. AYNISUYU succeeded in getting this [forensic] professional to come and train the doctors, check the documents and provide the parameters which should be taken into account when issuing a medical certificate. In the same way, judges and prosecutors in many events could discuss different cases to see how they should be resolved. Lic. Francisca Orellana, SLIMs psychologist On the other hand, the analysis from several meetings on the health department, a Committee member and key service provider, identified the urgent need to strengthen the health sector, in particular, the ability to issue complete and accurate medical certificates. Judges, prosecutors and the doctors themselves identified this weakness as a central problem. The Committee used the analysis to start a training process and form a health services working group to continue oversight. Among the main activities of the health sector was training we received thanks to the Inter-Institutional Committee. We were able to participate in many

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courses that were very collaborative and important to strengthening the training for doctors in care for victims of violence, the correct issuance of medical certificates, proper terminology concerning injuries, days of disability, and referrals for victims that have suffered this kind of aggression Dr. Marcelo Vallejos, Doctor at the Manuel Ascencio Villarroel Hospital

Mr. Jeaneth Rocha, Recording Secretary of the Womens Central, President of the Feminine Civic Committee, and Community Advocate

Photo 11. Inter Institutional Fair. Tnte Hilda Gonzles, Commander of the Family Protection Brigade.

Foto 10. Mesa de trabajo con el sector salud, participan de izquierda a derecha, Dra Ann Bee Lee Aguilar mdico Forense, Dr. Victor Hugo Saavedra, Dra. Bertha Delgadillo, Dr. Marcelo Vallejos y la Dra. Marisol Zambrana, Hospital Manuel Ascencio Villarroel Punata.

Likewise, the Committee sought to use the working group meetings as advocacy activities as many of the participants came from civil society, such as the Women Office of Punata and the Feminine Civic Committee. These, together with the Committees members, educated municipal institutions on the socio-political and legal issues related to genderbased violence, and carried out public education and advocacy activities including concrete actions such as the tracking of cases and citizen oversight service providers. As for the main activities developed within the Committee, all of these were important and it is worth highlighting that during these meetings, the Municipal Council members participated. This helped efforts to improve support for the DNA, SLIM and prosecutors. Public education activities included posters in different regions and by means of the mass media. It is clear that the coordinated work has helped a lot in the Municipality of Punata

However, one of the main activities the Committee carried out was the preparation of a common manual for handling violence cases. The idea to develop this handbook came out of the analysis of the flaws and limitations of service agencies. To improve organization, the Committee established two working groups. Working group one focused on the health sector, such as training doctors on how to properly and accurately identify injuries and issue health certificates. Working group two focused on the legal arena. It analyzed the limitations of the different institutions and the parameters required in the application of Law 1674 with the goal of delineating roles and responsibilities among the service agencies: DNA, SLIM, Brigade, the Public Prosecutors Office, the court and the health department. In every meeting, we were able to make a lot of commitments. Each Committee member has promised to do something. What were currently preparing is the referral document, for both the health and the legal sectors: DNA, prosecutors and judges Dr. Roxana Montao, Director, DNA The activities performed in the Inter-Institutional Committee on Human Development have influenced several stakeholders, but, above all, the service providers and the municipal authorities. These activities have caused a clear change of attitude on

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the part of the municipal authorities, who, previously, although they contributed to the development of the activities, were not involved enough regarding this problem and, in particular, how limitations in facilities and activities impact services. The Municipal Council Members were never interested in participating. But through these meetings they came to understand the problem of violence and also the work performed by the DNA, SLIM and Brigade. Even in one occasion, one of the prosecutors reprimanded them about issues they didnt know about. For example, the complaint took place at a meeting with the Prosecutor Oscar Flores. He asked the Council Members if they were aware of the actual work carried out by DNA, if they actually knew how many people were arrested and how it was supported. The Council Members werent aware of the work and for that reason did not provide support. Now, as they are more informed, they are more supportive. They even offer us transportation, which they didnt do before. That change of attitude has been the best way to get results. Those meetings have been the best way for the Council Members and the Councils President to see reality of the violence Dr. Roxana Montao, Director, DNA

If the Committee had not included the municipal authorities, the impact would not have been the same. With regard to concrete activities and impacts generated by the Committees advocacy, it was possible to increase the budgets for SLIM and the DNA by 25%. The DNA and SLIM staffs salary also increased, but by less than 24% as Punata is currently the only municipality from Valle Alto with the two separate offices, each with a staff that includes a lawyer and psychologist. It is satisfying to see that the Committee is having positive impacts such as these on multiple sectors. Its affecting every stakeholder. At the DNA and SLIM, because we a greater influx of people, thanks to the trainings and workshops were offering. At the Brigade, there are also positive impacts, as it is providing immediate protection from violence. Many times, when couples are fighting and the children are witnesses, the neighbors already know that they should call the Brigade and the Brigade responds. There are also impacts on the municipal authorities, because thanks to the meetings, they have understood the reality of violence. They now know that the job is not only to build facilities but also to develop the human worth of each person. They also now understand the importance of the services provided by the DNA, SLIM and Brigade. The committee has been deeply influencing the service providers and the public-atlarge in a positive and professional manner. The InterInstitutional Committee on Human Development is now well-known due to its activities. Dr. Marcelo Vallejos, Doctor of Manuel Ascencio Villarroel Hospital However, without a doubt, the greatest impact has occurred within the service providers. The Committee has strengthened the Health Sector, Family Protection Brigade, SLIM and DNA, improving the services providing and making processes more responsive and agile, and clarifying the roles and responsibilities of each institutions, including how they must coordinate. we had problems before the Committees was formed. The hospital, for example, didnt provide the

Photo 12. The Inter-Institutional Committee at a hearing with the Honorable Municipal Council of Punata. (Full Council Meeting)

Without a doubt, the achievement of the raising awareness among the authorities is a huge step in the process of eradication of violence, as only through influencing public policies can we obtain greater budgets to prevent violence, enhance the assistance services and restore the rights of victims.

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medical certificates immediately. They asked for letters. They asked for fees for the form to issue the certificate, which costs 50 Bs. However, through the law and the meetings with the Head of the Hospital, we got to know one another. In the same way, the doctors were present at the meetings and they now make it a priority to the issue of the necessary medical certificates, which is just with a blank sheet of paper with the professional doctors signature Dr. Jhimy Alegre, Head of Municipal Transparency, Former SLIM Director In the same way, the impacts of the Committee have translated into prevention activities. These activities have led to increases in the number of complaints filed with the SLIM during the life of the Program. In addition, due to DNA and SLIM, were constituting the Committee, thanks to this, we can give reach out to communities and schools to give talks and training workshops on violence where we show videos on violence. Thanks to this, we have seen a large influx of people seeking services. Women have been empowered in such a way that they are now able to file complaints. The women who take part in this program are now able to find services more efficiently. They are also aware of the laws and regulations and, more importantly, the management of this topic. This assures them the women leaders are able to go and replicate this in their communities Francisca Orellana, SLIM Psychologist As it can be seen in Graph 21, a comparison of the 2010 and 2011 management, shows a 7% reduction regarding the cases registered by Family Protection Brigade and a 46% increase of the cases handled by SLIM. This proves that there is a greater coordination between institutions and a greater public understanding of the SLIMs services.
Graph 21. Comparing the data SLIM- BPF 2010 June 2011

Likewise, Graph 22 shows that the percentage of cases involving recidivism at Brigade decreased from 55.9% in 2010 to 48.2% during the first semester of 2011.

Graph 22. Recidivism Percentages

Reviewing the performance of the Inter-Institutional Committee on Human Development to-date, all the stakeholders agree that efforts must continue to increase the expertise and skills of personnel, improve the service facilities and to increase the involvement of the municipal authorities. I believe that the Committee has just started. Although it has achieved many things, theres still much left to do. I think to improve communication and coordination we must also improve the meetings. I think that we have to keep improving in the areas of communication and coordination between the different institutions. They are at the root and will expose the flaws that we will find on the road and how to improve these and other situations. Dr. Neil Loredo, Examining Magistrate

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The stakeholders know that the Committee in on the right track, but it needs more support on the part of the authorities, in order to improve the situation. This way, when the Committee discusses the conditions of the facilities, when the Family Protection Brigade does not have an appropriate site or facilities to protect the victims, it is calling on the Brigades officials for improvements as well as on the municipal authorities to increase the budgets and financial resources. Its just starting. It was just born. I think we still have to give it a shove. Its already taken its first steps. We need to keep pushing so it will start to walk and then to run. We mustnt forget that, unfortunately, the staff changes are part of the daily life of institutions. We will have to start all over again to meet with them and keep our objectives, the vision and mission on the right track. Dr. Victor Hugo Saavedra, Doctor of Manuel Ascencio Villarroel Hospital On the other hand, the stakeholders and Committee members themselves recognize that the work done by the Committee was made possible by AYNISUYU. AYNISUYUs experience, longevity, confidence in the issue of Human Rights and prevention of violence have affected, in a positive way, the outcome of the Committee and the Reducing Gender-based Violence in Bolivia Program. AYNISUYU, as an organization, has helped a lot. If it werent for the NGO, we wouldnt have been able to do these types of actions. The Committee wouldnt exist. I think that AYNISUYU has made a valuable contribution to Valle Alto Dr. Neil Loredo, Examining Magistrate If AYNISUYU hadnt carried out this project, maybe nobody wouldve been interested. Many times, as DNA, weve tried to arrange meetings with judges and prosecutors, but as we are agencies depending on the municipality, we dont have much power. Sometimes, the municipal authorities dont consider it important enough. They say its only the DNA and they dont care about it as they do with the big projects Carolina Lizarraga, DNA Psychologist The program has strengthened [services] through

concrete actions which have demonstrated and have been tangible, leading to changes such as the greater number of complaints filed, institutions that are more aware of this issue and now support the women handling the victims referrals and counter-referrals Dr. Marcelo Vallejo, Doctor of Manuel Ascencio Villarroel Hospital Likewise, the institutions and people who make up the Inter-Institutional Committee on Human Development clearly identify the quantitative and qualitative changes in the realities of gender-based violence and in themselves as professionals in the service of victims. [The program] has led to changes, even in the SLIM itself. Both the DNA and SLIM, I always mention both, as the SLIM and DNA have always coordinated in all the activities, workshops, etc. Many times we considered AYNISUYU only regarding the management of the complaints. I repeat, many times we only focused on responding to victim complaints. But there came a moment in which AYNISUYU made us as Office of the Mayor and DNA change and take another road to fight against violence. Working in a another way and improving the services that we provide. Dr. Roxana Montao, Director, DNA Obviously, on my behalf, as jurisdictional authority, regarding the Brigades detentions and the problems with we have learned about among the municipal officials. They now know how to proceed. It [coordination] has improved greatly. If it werent for this Committee, we would not have learned where the weaknesses are, not would we have received orientation on who performance which roles. The services have improved a lot. Dr. Neil Loredo, Examining Magistrate The change in the existing the health sector personnel for example is remarkable. Now when a patient who has been attacked [comes in for care], her case receives priority emergency assistance. We now know that it is a priority to attend to them and we know how to proceed, managing a referral sheet that has come about as a result of this entire process within the violence prevention program of the Committee. Dr. Vctor Hugo Saavedra, Doctor of Manuel Ascencio Villrroel Hospital

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The Inter-Institutional Committee on Human Development is gaining more sustainability as a result of the regular meetings it holds. Lately, various meetings have focused on sustainability and next steps. The Committee will push for the Municipal Council to make sustainability a priority, via the Commissions of Children, Women and Health. As for the peoples commitment, yes, its sustainable. But changes in personnel make it somewhat hard, as its not easy to get commitments from the new officials in the institutions. There has to be a motivation. If we abandon our positions and others take on our jobs, those commitments have to be redeveloped. They are personal commitments but they work at an institutional level. Nobody is forced to be present at those meetings. They attend if they want to. That personal commitment has a purpose: to improve the handling of cases. Dr. Neil Loredo, Examining Magistrate Likewise, many members have proposed that the SLIM should be the head of the Committee and call them together once a month to execute the work of the Committee. One of the goals is to continue coordinating with the Police, SLIM and the Health sector, the institutions most involved in the issue of gender-based violence, to ensure that women do not have to take the lead in moving their cases forward. The institutions should ensure that they are working for the women and handling the cases properly so that complaints are backed up with facts and are fully resolved. Future goals for the Committee should be zero assaults against women and wide dissemination of information on womens rights by means and the goal of zero aggression via media. The Committee understands that to propose this target of zero aggression it must begin by reducing violence, improving the handling of cases, and at the same time implementing a strong violence prevention strategy. Ive always stressed at the meetings the importance of education. Education influences people to act in different ways. If we live in a violent environment, obviously our attitude is going to be violent. But, if we start to work with the children and we teach them that violence is never right: not with family or friends,

not among other people, in no situation. I believe were going to create new human beings, new people who will decide whether or not to be violent. These goals can be achieved, it will take a long time but its possible. Its not utopian. Its something that can be accomplished. In order to do it, obviously, we need financial resources, personnel, and support. I think these goals can be accomplished in the long run. They are feasible. Dr. Neil Loredo, Examining Magistrate

5. Impacts of the Reducing GenderBased Violence in Bolivia Program in Punata

Bolivia began a process of profound change concerning the definition and application of public policies and laws that benefit the most vulnerable groups to diminish inequalities and gaps among genders. Despite the fact that the policies are clear and more and more work has been done to raise awareness among governmental institutions, the assistance conditions are still not sufficient regarding a more accessible and equal gender justice for women, in particular in Valle Alto, in the Municipality of Punata. Therefore, the implementation of these policies will only be possible by creating strategies, processes, and the use of public dialogues to articulate the issues, build consensus, improve coordination and support public advocacy by stakeholders and the civil society. The construction of a model of Violence Prevention and Integrated Services for Victims requires an integrated intervention and the commitment of the different sectors, including the personal commitment of the professionals. Their actions for victims must be based on respect and restoring the victims rights, and on providing services that ensure quality care and uphold justice. As the training of these professionals does not address providing care or closing gender-based violence cases, it is essential for the service providers and the justice officials to be able to count on easy to use tools to help them provide proper care. The Inter-Institutional Committee on Human

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Development wants to emphasize that violence in general is abhorrent and deserves to be punished, but the proceedings to achieve this must be timely and appropriate. The care for victims and handling of violence cases must always have at their core the protection of human rights and of the victims rights. Violence cannot be dealt with from a point of view that does not involve these rights and that does not encourage the empowerment of women. The development of the Inter-Institutional Committee on Human Development, with these same characteristics, guarantees citizen oversight to ensure that efforts by service agencies and coordination among them provide integrated services for survivors of gender-based violence. This is why the Committee developed synergies among and between state and civil institutions to strengthen the fight against gender-based violence. It is necessary to strengthen the mechanisms for the collection and analysis of data on violence and services provided for victims. There are still weaknesses in the services regarding information management. It is also still imperative that governmental institutions and allied civil society organizations work to influence policies and for change among municipal officials. This will translate into improved services and reductions in violence.

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3
The Aymara Womens Association of Kollasuyo
Pucarani Municipality Department of de La Paz

OMAKs mission is to create and to strengthen Indigenous Womens Centers at the local and national level. Its first objective is to foster women leaders through training, courses, workshops, conferences and fairs every year. The next objectives are to promote the defense of the Human rights and inclusion of the presently excluded populations, within the frame of the fight against the poverty and strengthening democracy. OMAK works in Pucarani and the outlying rural areas in the department of La Paz. OMAK has broad experience in training, public education and outreach via mass media in multiple languages, lobbying and advocacy, citizen oversight efforts, and other proactive activities. Its programs primarily target Aymara and Quechua Indigenous women and youths, mainly of the outlying rural areas and living in extreme poverty of the Department of La Paz.

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1.Background of the Reducing Gender-Based Violence in Bolivia Program in Pucarani

The Municipality is divided in 3 Zones (North Zone, South Zone Center and Zone) to facilitate municipal administration. These zones are then divided into 12 cantns and 87 communities. The communities are organized by agrarian unions (Centrales Agrarian) that are also broken into subgroups and local agrarian unions. The population of Pucarani, according to the information of the National Institute of Statistics (INE) in the 2001 Census was 26,802: of whom 13,063 are men and 13,739 women. The present count of families, according to the community workshops is 6.223. Within the Municipality as a whole, the canton with the greatest number of families is Pucarani. There are 1,227 families in the Central Zone. The smallest possible family size is one person. This mainly occurs in families of older adults, whose children have emigrated out of the community. The maximum size of the family is eight inhabitants.

Photo 13 .The Chacalleta Comunity exemplifies the profile of the Central Zone.

The Municipality of Pucarani is located in the Andes Province of the La Paz Department. It is situated in the western region of the Department. The city of El Alto is 40 km away via the Pan-American highway (international route) in the direction of Copacabana.3

2. The Reality of Gender-based Violence in Pucarani

OMAKs led the Reducing Gender-based Violence in Bolivia Program in this region. The following analysis of the reality of gender-based violence in Pucarani is based on those efforts and on interviews with program participants, in particular the women leaders who formed the local violence prevention network and those who completed the Community Advocates training and have formed the local Community Advocates Council. This research process shows that women in Pucarani are continually victims of physical, psychological and sexual violence. The last type of violence is less visible, because according to the interviewees, the majority of the women are scared to denounce this type of assault. In relation to the physical and psychological violence, usually extended family or padrinos intervene and try to recommend changes to improve relations between the couple. Violence is seen as a family issue.

Photo 14 . Cohana Cantn shows the Southern Zone characteristics.

3 The data presented and analyzed here comes from the Municipal Development Plan (Plan de Desarrollo Municipal) and the database of the 2007 Geographic Information Specialist (Especialista en Informacin Geogrfica)

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According To data provided by the Pucarani DNA, 78 cases gender-based violence were reported between January and June 2011, with an average of 13 cases per month. Several of the women interviewed noted that the decrease in the number of cases could be due to the impact of the program. (See Graph 24.) The Municipality relies on several institutions to intervene (directly or indirectly)in the management of gender-based violence cases. Those institutions include: National Border Police of Pucarani (Polica Nacional Fronteriza),Hospital of Health, Magistrates (Juzgado deInstruccin)of Pucarani, local office of the Public Prosecutor (Fiscala) of Pucarani, District Office of Education of Pucarani, Bolivian Catholic University UAC (School of Nursing) and the local Parish (Parroquia) of Pucarani.However, the interviews of women leaders and the data indicate that the only institutions to which the majority of the women approach is the DNA and the police. They also show that many of the women do not file complaints in both institutions, in particular with the police, because access to justice is widely seen as limited to those with economic resources. This is the basis for the commonly held belief that There is no justice in Pucarani (En Pucarani no Hay Justicia.) Pucarani did not have a SLIM until 2010. The SLIM responsibilities fell to the staff of the DNA, which had to fulfill their mandates and provide legal assistance for the victims of intra-family violence. In the case of the isolated outlying communities, the majority of the cases were presented to and resolved within the Indigenous justice system, led by local Indigenous authorities. Most women in these areas do not use the formal justice system because it would require them to travel frequently to the town of Pucarani. At the start of the program, the Municipality did not have institutions or non-governmental organizations working to reduce gender-based violence, except Plan International Altiplano, which led a program in the schools on gender-based violence. Therefore, the efforts by Plan International and OMAK comprised the few initiatives on the subject. It Is important to indicate that the social and political context in the Municipality of Pucarani was complicated during this period with constant

Graph 23. Reported cases of Gender Based Violence. Source: Own elaboration based on the data registered by the Defensora de la Niez and Adolescencia Municipio de Pucarani.

The women interviewed indicate that violence against the woman is caused by societal norms in Pucarani as in the rest of the Bolivian society that impose submission and the economic dependency on women. Another factor is the indiscriminate consumption of alcohol. Usually the women, children and older adults are the victims of the violence and their close male relatives are commonly the aggressors. For example, in the case of the women victims of violence, their aggressors are usually their husbands or partners. In the case of older adults, the aggressors are generally their adult children who abandon them or force them to leave their farm lands. Graph 23 shows that 42% of the cases reported to the DNA are intra-family violence cases.

Graph 24. Complaints of gender-based violence. Source: Pucarani DNA

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changes in personnel and officials. The instability led to ineffective governance. The election that took place during the program brought in a new elected officials that have a different social profile from the typical politicians from the past. At this time, the Municipality of Pucarani there is an openness among municipal authorities, from with the Mayor the highest political authority in the Municipality to the Municipal Council members. Their commitments provide a positive climate for the proposals from civil society to support the strengthening of human rights, in particular the rights of woman. The municipality, together with the institutions like OMAK, is working to the benefit of the people. At the same time, the personnel of the SLIM and DNA have a more permanent character, which making institutional stability of the personnel and the institution

OMAK held 13 training workshops with grassroots organizations in Pucarani to launch the effort to reduce gender-based violence in the municipality. The trainings focused on the information and skills needed to improve services for victims of violence and raise public awareness. The participants included about 20 local womens groups, representatives of union groups (Centrales Seccionales, Sub Centrales Cantonales and Sindicators Comunales), authorities and institutional representatives of the Pucarani DNA, Bolivian Police (Unidad Seccional), officials from the Municipal Government of Pucarani (Project Director, Pucarani Health Center, Justice Sector (Juzgado de Instruccin), and Schools, and the School of Nursing of the Bolivian Catholic University. OMAK worked to ensure broad participation from multiple sectors to build bridges among the women in diverse spheres and commitment among municipal agencies and other institutions to the defense of womens rights. Later in the program, OMAK, the Construir Foundation replicated the successful citizen advocacy and oversight program Community Advocates of the Peruvian NGO, Legal Defense Institute (IDL). OMAK led a series of training programs for women leaders to become qualified as Community Advocates and begin to support and accompany women as they went through the process of reporting the violence and receiving care. The training included a broad understanding of the changing legal framework in Bolivia including rights specified in the new constitution (emphasizing in particular the Fundamental Rights and Responsibilities of the People. Art. 15, paragraphs 1 and II) and in Law 1674 (Law of Family Violence). Altogether more than 25 women leaders (representing of the local Government, the Municipal Council, Municipal, DNA, and the Municipal Office of Projects) completed the full training. They were then charged to hold 10 replication trainings in their respective communities. To support these replication trainings, OMAK held two workshops to reinforce the trainings and to coordinate with the local women leaders. Over 350 people participated in the replication trainings (85% women) in the 10 communities. (See Table 2 and Graph 25.) The workshops were offered in Spanish and Aymara and participants included local women and public officials from the DNA, the Office of Projects, and the Municipal Committee.

3. Collection and Analysis of Experiences of the Reducing GenderBased Violence in Bolivia Program in Pucarani

Photo 15. Municipal Union Authorities at the Workshop on Womens Rights and the Program. Phase 1, Pucarani, City Hall, Hall of Mirrors, October 28, 2010.

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Table 4. Participation in Replication Trainings by Community and Gender

Graph 25. Participation in Replication Trainings by Gender

OMAK also led two public dialogues with citizens and the Municipal Council of Pucarani and the Mayor of Pucarani. The participants included Municipal Council members, the Pucarani Director of Projects, the DNA staff lawyer, the Coordinator of the Municipal Council, spokespersons of the Mayors Office of Human Development. OMAK developed ongoing relationships with the DNA, in particular with the Municipal Director. This allowed the local violence prevention network, the Womens Committee for the Prevention and Treatment of Gender Violence to lobby publicly and privately for increased municipal budgets and the creation of a SLIM. The advocacy was successful and the 2011 Annual Municipal Plan included funding for a SLIM. Its development was underway at the time of this writing. This positive result came about thanks to the on-going coordination and collaboration with municipal authorities. Municipal Council members, like Juana Choque and Josefa Castaeta, were fundamental in the process. They attended serveral workshops and motivated other Indigenous women to participate in OMAKs activities. Active participation by the local authorities, like theMunicipal Council members, demonstrated that the Program reflected the needs and interests of local inhabitants of Pucarani. It gave the program legitimacy and encouraged further participation. Their participation and the educational radio spots also showed that the program was not solely focused on violence in the local context, but also the national and world-wide context.

Fabian Hilarn and other Council members demonstrated their support for the work of OMAK and the Construir Foundation. They also signaled that any program initiative or other activities would be welcomes and receive the support of the Pucarani Municipal. This subject of the violence was interesting because, little is said in the rural area [about the issue.] For that reason when I heard the informational spots on violence on the radio, I was happy to know that the inhabitants of the municipality would knew more and in addition would understand that we have to confront the violence or to make it unaceptable. I suggest that you continue running this type of radio campaign because it is difficult to reach all the communities. Juan Candia, Pucarani Municipal Council Member, Hearing with the Municipal Council, May, 22, 2011

Photo 16. Students participating in activities at a workshop at the BolivianJapanese School in the Palcoco community. October 29, 2010

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The first educational fair Raising Awareness on the Prevention of Gender-based Violence was held in the Municipality of Pucarani. Several service providers made presentation, such as the Border Police (Polica Fronteriza), the District Office of Education, school teachers, and the Pucarani Hospital. The public fair allowed in addition that adolescent girls to learn about their rights, the new constitution, the regional and world-wide human rights conventions, as well as local initiatives in Bolivia, among others fundamental legislative efforts in the defense of the rights of the women. A broad public education campaign on womens rights and violence prevention was broadcast in multiple languages via local media outlets, such as the community radio stations Chaka and Tutuka. The Prevention and Treatment of the Gender-based Violence programs covered the same issues addressed in program activities, made announcements of pending events, and even covered several events live to greatly broaden public participation. Radio Chaka, transmits in 1.100 Khz. A.M., has a particularly broad reach. The First Inter-institutional Workshop brought together 65 people from civil society, service providers, police and groups such as Plan International. In the same way, a seminar for the members of the local violence prevention network was held in the telecentro of Pucarani on the process of building capacity and developing mechanisms to improve the internal systems of the agencies that serve victims of vioelence: CIDEMs data collection and analysis system, SIVIGE. Over 40 people from diverse organizations participated in the workshop on using data to improve care and coordination and to facilitate public policies based on accurate and complete information. OMAK also held three training workshops with different representatives of the municipal institutions and service providers. OMAK led the participants in these workshops to learn about and discuss the present situation in Bolivia and the legal framework for improved rights, that underpin the Reducing Gender-based Violence in Bolivia program. Other workshops focused on raising awareness

among municipal authorities and civil servants, and justice sector officials, such as the President of the Municipal Council, Municipal Office of Projects, Union Authorities, grassroots organizations, governmental and nongovernmental institutions and OMAK staff. The DNA representative noted that the OMAK led workshops, as well as the rest of the activities held within the framework of the Program, in particular the public education campaign on the rights of the citizens regarding violence, affected the reporting of cases of violence the Municipality. In addition to educating the public, the diverse service providers were also more aware issues relating to the prevention and treatment of gender-based violence. OMAK piggy backed on the III the Social Summit Alliance of Women Organizations for Intercultural Revolution and Unity, held on July 24 26 in Cochabamba to highlight the programs efforts and reach other potential local women leaders. Representatives of program efforts such as the Community Defenders, representatives of Womens Organizations of Women, participants from the roundtable dialogues and public hearings attended the Summit. They participated in the working groups, contributing ideas and proposals. In these and in the final writings of documents of each working group, they ensured that the issues relating to genderbased violence were given high priority and that they reflected Bolivias new legal framework and its supports for womens rights. The Community Defenders, joined OMAK and the Construir Foundation at the First Expo Fair of Organizations and Development Projects of the Department of La Paz, organized by the government of the Department of La Paz. The Expo Fair provided an opportunity to share the Programs efforts and impacts with community development leaders from across the Department, such as head of Productive Development of the Municipality of Jesus de Machaca and the Director of the Province Franz Tamayo. Many participants of the Expo Fair shared that their municipalities also have problems with violence and to not have the support of any organizations committed to preventing genderbased violence. Many of them requested the Reducing Gender-based Violence in Bolivia program to expand into the other La Paz municipalities.

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4. Case Study: The Local Violence Prevention Network, the Womens Committee for the Prevention and Treatment of Gender Violence in Pucarani and the Fight Against , Gender-Based Violence

The Womens Committee intentionally formalized its formation in a public meeting with Municipal Government officials, which gave it greater legitimacy before governmental groups.
Table 5. Womens Organizations of the Local Violence Prevention Network, the Womens Committee for the Prevention and Treatment of Gender Violence in Pucaranithe Womens Committee for the Prevention and Treatment of Gender Violence in Pucarani

Photo 17. Indigenous woman from the Center Zone of Pucarani in a Community Advocates training. September 16, 2010

The Program began with the objective of developing a network of local institutions such as the police, Judicial Training Center (Juzgado de Instruccin), Office of The Public Prosecutor, Health sector, schools, churches, and civil society organizations. However, as the program evolved, OMAK noticed that the greater preoccupation and demand of the women were to provide a central organization who joins and coordinates the diverse womens organizations already established. The central organization could then represent them before the Municipality of Pucarani. On September, 22 2010, during on the OMAK workshops, the local violence prevention network, WomenCommittee for the Prevention and Treatment of Gender Violence in Pucarani was formed. The WomenCommittee represents more than 21 womens organizations (see Table 2). Among them is the Womens Organization Bartolina Sisa, with its broad network of local and provincial chapters made up of poor and Indigenous women.

The central objectives of the Womens Committee is to support the implementation of the SLIM, strengthening the DNA and defending womens rights of the women, their access to justice and providing opportunities for women to grow, learn and work together for change. At this time, 23 members of the Womens Committee are also

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Community Defenders. The Community Defenders developed communication and orientation programs for victims of gender-based violence. The Community Defenders provide the victims with information on their rights and the municipal processes and institutions that will serve them. The Community Defenders accompany the women as they travel through the system and help them get the care they need and file a complaint with the proper authorities. Among the many efforts and activities developed the Womens Committee, its participation and leadership in the Pucarani Social Summits [public hearings] on the 2011 Municipal Budget (Plan Operacional Annual, POA) stands out. During these meetings the Womens Committee demanded greater economic resources for gender projects, the formation and funding of a municipal SLIM, and the coordination between organizations of local women. Prior to the meetings the Womens Committee developed a list of demands and needs for the women of the municipality that should be included in the 2011 Municipal Budget. Through all of these activities, the community women from the very poor areas began identify the Womens Committee as a central organization for the defense of womens rights and the prevention of violence. As a Union Official said in the January 2011 workshop, the women are waking up and organizing themselves to know their rights. Evaluations from the Community Defenders positively rated the support offered by OMAK and the Construir Foundation. The diverse activities raised awareness on gender-based violence and the womens rights and worked to change attitudes. The public, local women leaders, municipal officials and services providers are now better informed on the legal framework that rejects violence, from the new constitution to Law 1674, the Law against the Violence in the domestic Family. One of the reasons the program was able to have such a large impact was the strong relationship between OMAK and the Municipal Government. The relationship and the support of the Municipal Director of Projects were fundamental. Her presence

and support helped make local Indigenous women from the outlying areas feel welcome and comfortable. As one woman commented in her evaluation, Sister Claudia Pinto is like the mother of the women in Pucarani.

Photo 18. Front row: Claudia Pinto, Project Director and Juana Choque Vda. de Alegre (on left). August 26, 2010

In provide continuity to the work of the Womens Committee, the Community Defenders felt it was fundamental that they continue to receive support from OMAK and the Municipal Government. Independently of the external cooperation, a central element for the sustainability of the Womens Committee was the selection in 2011 of a new president. The Womens Committees president also represents the Provincial Federation of Womens Organization Bartolina Sisa. Her leadership will ensure that the Womens Committee is linked to organizations and activities at the provincial level, which will serve to support and strengthen of the Womens Committee. According to the Community Defenders, another important element in the sustainability of the Womens Committee is that it provides many leadership opportunities for its members allowing new leaders to emerge and taking advantage of the diverse capacities that each woman brings.

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5. Impacts of the Reducing Gender-Based Violence in Bolivia Program in Pucarani

OMAKs central objective is to contribute to improving the quality of life of the women and to supporting initiatives that protect the rights of the women. All of the program activities supported that end, but the greatest impact of the Program was the formation and support offered to the Womens Committee. As this case study showed, the local leaders and Indigenous women from the poorest communities who participated in the program all declared in their interviews and evaluations that the Womens Committee is an important mechanism for supporting womens rights. The Womens Committee provides them with a means to work for womens empowerment, develop and implement strategic efforts to question socio-cultural assumptions and attitudes and reevaluate traditions to establish gender equity. Finally, it provides the best means to reach the sum qamaa (to live well) in the Municipality of Pucarani. For these valuable and important reasons, it is vital that the Womens Committee continues to receive support into the future.

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4
Women in Action
Uriondo Municipality Department of Tarija

Mujeres en Accin, Women in Action, is a civil society organization committed to working for womens rights. In particular, Mujeres en Accin provides support to victims of physical, psychological and sexual violence. Mujeres en Accins mission is to contribute to the construction of a fairer, more equal and more integrated society, encouraging participatory processes and processes regarding organizational reinforcement to achieve empowerment and the restitution and complete exercise of womens rights through information, training and political influence. Mujeres en Accin works in the city of Tarija and in the municipalities of Entre Ros, San Lorenzo and Uriondo. The projects and programs which are being developed by Mujeres en Accin are organized according to three lines: dignity, access to justice and strengthening civil society. With this in mind, Mujeres en Accin runs a shelter to provide services for the protection of the mothers victims of sexual violence, a program which encourages young mothers to study, support projects to help laborers study for their qualification and certification, supports projects to help women creation demands and participate in municipal planning and the development of the Municipal Charter to include prevention of gender-based violence.

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1. Background of the Reducing Gender-Based Violence in Bolivia Program in Uriondo

The Municipality of Uriondo has more than 13,000 inhabitants. It is made up of nine municipal districts and 51 scattered communities. Although the capital of the Department is just 17 miles away by paved road, accessibility is a significant issue. Many areas are not connected by paved roads and others are located zones with difficult access, in particular during the rainy season. The most common economic and business activity in this region growing grapes and the production of wines and singanis, both industrial and artisanal. The Municipality also has zones that produce milk and milk related products, as well as vegetables and legumes to a lesser extent. There are regions which are affected by migration to the Republic of Argentine. The people from Valle de la Concepcin, the capital of the municipality, are closely related to the city of Tarija for economic reasons (the provision of domestic and technological inputs) and due to the many institutional processes which are not available in El Valle. The people of El Valle travel to Tarija for services of many kinds such as health, education, and entertainment. Because of this, its possible to daily observe an important mobilization of people between Valle and the City of Tarija. The number of institutions in El Valle is small and most of the officials are centered at the Municipal Government and at the Section Government (Gobernacin de Seccin). The remainder are distributed between the teaching sector, two financial institutions, the police and other offices with a reduced staff. A significant number of officials live in the city of Tarija. So, they are only present in El Valles population during business hours. These social and financial characteristics, plus the geographical proximity to the city of Tarija, create particular circumstances but do not change the small town essence of El Valle. It is a small town with an agricultural focus due to the cultivation of vines and the fact that, after dark, it is completely

isolated from the capital city because of limited transport services and the fact that its not located on a main road. However, during some months the municipality becomes a tourism center. For example, between the months of February and March, the Art and Wine Encounter (Encuentro del Arte y el Vino) is held. This is a cultural, artistic and tourist event which lasts several days. It includes shows, fairs, festivities, contests, workshops and other public activities. It is organized jointly by several public and private institutions. During this season, in Carnival, the grape harvest (Vendimia) festivity is attended by a significant number of visitors.

2. The Reality of Gender-Based Violence in Uriondo

During the implementation of the Reducing Genderbased Violence in Bolivia Program, we observed several aspects about the issue of gender that merit analysis in this section. From a more general approach, we observed a latent conflict can be seen due to the differences between people according to education levels and financial gaps. This causes power relationships which keep clear differences between social classes. Focusing our analysis on bender-based violence, its worth mentioning that the Municipality has three areas charged with handling this issue. The first one, the Municipal DNA (which is part of the Municipal Government) was in a reorganization process, with recently hired staff and little information available regarding the prior efforts. The second organization is SLIM, which did not exist at the start of the program. Finally, the third one is the Public Safety Program of the Area (Seccin) Government, which leads violence prevention activities and others concerning sexual violence. The three agencies present several flaws when it comes to implementing sound institutional actions about the problem of gender-based violence. For example, they have logistical difficulties that make it difficult for the staff to mobilize, which results in a very slow management of cases. They also lack established processes clearly delineating which

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organizations should provide which types of services and protections to victims. The Municipal Government (which, during the preparation of the Program, had recently been elected and was only into its first half year of management) had serious financial difficulties when it comes to fulfilling its functions due to debts caused in previous administrations. As a matter of fact, during the 2010 and part of 2011 administration, the municipality virtually declared bankruptcy. Another challenge is that as several municipal officials come from the city of Tarija and continue to live in Tarija, not in Uriondo. They do not stay in El Valle for many hours. In the case of the Area (Seccin) Government, it continues to update the new government forms with the internal adjustments to respond to the new governments mandates. Because of this and the Municipalitys proximity to the city of Tarija, there are many people who go directly to health centers and to other services of Tarija. The case of the outlying communities is even more critical, as their physical isolation makes it harder for them to communicate and take advantage of the services for victims that do exist in the Municipality. Due to these institutional weaknesses, the participants in the Mujeres en Accin training workshops were poorly informed of current laws which protect victims and of the sanctions on gender-based violence. They were not aware of the new SLIMs operation either. the women situation was forgotten. The women did not know their own rights. They didnt know that there are laws that protect them. They didnt know that there are institutions that could provide them support. They werent aware of the fact that there were [other] women who had gone through violent situations (). Guadalupe Pinto, DNA From a more micro perspective, the many social parties that are held in the community create an environment which triggers a series of violent acts. The indiscriminate consumption of alcoholic drinks, causes problems between young men and, also, assaults against young women. Some organizations have expressed their concern over these facts and have worked to get an ordinance enacted to regulate parties. In addition, this ordinance seeks

to implement police surveillance around the places where these events take place. It is necessary to make clear that the police contingent of El Valle is very limited and expectations that these incidents will disappear are also limited. The indiscriminate consumption alcoholic drinks is a constant not only in parties, but also in more every day events. For this reason, most of this Programs participants consider this fact as one of the triggers for domestic violence. The fact that Uriondo is a wine producing area par excellence has very particular and culturally embedded connotations related to the wine consumption. However, this over-simplified logic, which interprets gender-based violence as consequences of alcohol consumption, is a veil which prevents a more critical and deeper analysis of the issue. During the development of the Program, it was possible to gather information about extreme rivalries between people or small groups due to various reasons such as circumstantial policies, discrimination and love conflicts. Occasionally, these rivalries have produces arguments, confrontations, fights in public spaces and complaints filed to the police. A detail which caught our attention was the interpretation of violence according to the aggressors gender. By means of the interviews, we learned that some of the most violent situations were caused by women, which were seen as something extremely shocking. However, in the many cases in which the males are the attackers, violence is considered something which is was deserved due to the victims incitement and as the only way to control women. In other words, violence by men is normal and by women is shocking. Because of the trust developed among the participants by Mujeres en Accin, they shared stories about violent relationships among couples and within the family. Most of domestic violence cases are not reported, as this kind of violence is considered an internal conflict. Even though in the outlying communities the participants expressed interest in coming to DNA/

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SLIM if they were involved in a violent situation. In the town, participants shared a resistance using the DNA/SLIM because the services are not able to protect the confidentiality of victims regarding the treatment of personal issues or couples. In the three communities where the Program was implemented (El Valle, Calamuchita, Chocloca), several cases concerning women who suffered from violence were made public in certain ways and were discussed with naturalness among the participants of the events. Another surprising detail is the significant amount of attempted suicides and successful suicides in the Calamuchita region, near El Valle. These attempts were usually carried out by young and adolescent men and women. Although this situation is part of the analysis and comments on the part of officials and professionals related to the health and human development areas, it is also common knowledge and not fully captured in governmental statistics due to various circumstances. One of the reasons behind the fact that a suicide is not recorded as such seems to be the great importance the people from the region give to religious services in case of deceased: the Eucharistic celebrations to bid farewell to the body and then in memory of the person, the sepulture at the cemetery and the need for it to rest in peace. All the acts and rituals would not be allowed in case of a suicide and that could be an ordeal very hard to endure on the part of the family. The health services records are not very clear either and, in several occasions, the victims, on an emergency, are moved directly to health centers of the city of Tarija. As if that were not enough, the Police have few resources to mobilize quickly and establish with greater certainty the events characteristics. In sum, this problem has been discussed in various formal and non-formal spaces, but a sound institutional action has not been generated yet in order to capture its dimension and implications with greater certainty. During the first months of this year (2011), at least seven cases of people who ingested chemical products (used for grape growing) to kill themselves have come to light. It is worth highlighting the case of a teenager who apparently

suffered from sexual violence, a young pregnant woman with relationship issues and a middle-age woman who had many financial debts. Within the municipal political framework, the participation of women is still insufficient. For example, at the Municipal Council, there is only one women council member from a total of five members. Among the community authorities (Chief Magistrates and Secretaries General from the Agricultural Unions), there are some women leaders and the new Civic Committee of the town is headed by a woman.

3. Collection and Analysis of Experiences of the Reducing GenderBased Violence in Bolivia Program in Uriondo
Since 1997, Mujeres en Accin has developed several projects aimed to support victims of violence, protect the womens rights and foster the building of a fairer society with the full inclusion of gender rights. The goals of the Program and the institutional mission of Mujeres en Accin agreed completely: assisting victims of sexual violence and preventing gender-based violence. In order to contribute to the reduction of genderbased violence in the Uriondo Municipality, through the prevention, training and public education actions towards the services providers and the people in general, it was necessary to begin by holding activities to introduce the NGO and the program to the community, the organizations and institutions of Uriondo, located at Valle de la Concepcin. They positioned the program and began to develop trust to be able to successfully implement activities in a an areas that had never received such services in the past. The commitment by the Municipal Government was guaranteed in its formal aspects and which was necessary to allow the program to know and work with officials, some well-known leaders and the organizations. It allowed Mujeres en Accin to study the functions of municipal and service provider

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institutions and the socio-cultural and economical dynamics on the part of the people and the communities. Prior to begin planned activities, the connection and coordination with the educational sector and the high school establishments of El Valle and the two communities chosen for the Projects development were finalized first. The first training event carried out by the Project was an informational and awareness raising workshop addressed to young students in to the third year of high school from Valle, Calamuchita and Chocloca. This activity became a significant mobilization which captured the attention of the educational officials and provided a demonstration of the Program and its objectives. From that moment on, the students chose a specific activity so as to work on the topic of gender-based violence at their schools and the work team carried out the orientation and accompaniment tasks to meet their targets. In El Valle, they chose to perform a play against gender-based violence. In Calamuchita, the wall mural was painted and, in Chocloca, they painted of messages against violence on the schools walls. In addition to the work at schools, a massive event took place with the presence of Chief Magistrates (Corregidores/as) from the municipal section and Family Protection Brigades, in which the main concepts about gender-based violence and an integrated and coordinated assistance system were introduced. Simultaneous to the community mobilization and public education effort and the support for the students for the implementation of their activities against violence, Mujeres en Accin also supported the DNAs (Defensora Municipal de la Niez y Adolescencia) work and management. The trainings and support consolidated the connection, coordination and alliances among El Valles institutions and organizations, highlighting the work with the Public Safety Program dependent on the Uriondos Area (Seccin) Government. It is worth mentioning that at that moment, the DNA was going through a reorganization process as the person in charge was assigned a few days before the Project started its activities and, had no previous experience with this kind of service. Under these circumstances,

the Mujeres en Accin team supported the DND team and encouraged initiating assistance efforts from the perspective of the SLIM. Later, Mujeres en Accion held information and educational activities with public officials and organizational meetings with representatives of the Uriondos institutions were help to promote the formation of a local violence prevention network: The Municipal Network Against Violence (Red Municipal Contra Violencia). (The process is analyzed in the following section.) One of the Programs most important moments was the organization of a public hearing with the Municipal Council, promoted by the Community Defenders Network (Red de Mujeres Defensoras) with support from Mujeres en Accin, institutional representatives, and neighbors from El Valle and high school students. This hearing took place in November 25, the Day Against Violence Towards Women. The women from the Community Defenders Network also replicated the training workshops they have first received from Mujeres en Accin. The replication workshops trained more than 300 people. This way, the struggle against gender-based violence was disseminated at a municipal level and the Network influenced not only municipal authorities, but also the public at large. Among other achievements on the part of the Program in the Uriondo Municipality, a highlight was the creation of a common protocol concerning the assistance provided to the victims of violence, from a communal perspective and for the Women Defenders Network. In addition, flyers were prepared to be handed out publicly and messages were broadcasted through the radio to accomplish the public education and reduce violence. Similarly, during the Christmas season, the Community Defenders Network Network conducted a campaign with cards carrying messages against gender-based violence. These were handed out in Valle.

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4. Case Study: The Local Violence Prevention Network, Municipal Network Against Violence and the , Fight Against Gender-Based Violence

that the many groups that make up the women from El Valle were represented in the Community Defenders Network, such as Mestizo women, semi urban women and rural women. The Community Defenders point out that they accepted this challenge due to different reasons: some of them because they were always interested in fighting this problem and others because they were victims of violence. As Community Defender Samantha said, it caught my attention because it was intended to fight against violence and here there was a lot of violence and people just stayed silent. Silence had to be broken. As time went by, the Community Defenders succeeded in displaying the problems complexity and the challenges which the fight against violence entails. The process of forming the Community Defenders Network began with designing a work plan to be implemented by three working groups or commissions: Commission to provide initial support and ongoing tracking to the victims of violence. Prevention Commission, in charge of replicate the training. Advocacy commission, focused on influencing the municipal authorities to establish and fund a SLIM (Servicio Legal Integral Municipal.)

Photo 19. The Community Defenders at the inaugural meeting after a Program workshop. October 26, 2010

In Valle de la Concepcin, municipality of Uriondo, Mujeres en Accinand the local violence prevention network studied the possibility of locally implementing a Community Defenders Network (Red de Mujeres Defensorasa). The Community Defenders Network began in October 2010 with 30 women who had participated in a larger training by Mujeres en Accin. It began as a women-only group, but opened itself to men and incorporated one male Community Defender by the end the program. He supports the organizations many actions and expresses his interest in understanding this problem and applying what he has learned into his own life, in order to understand and face some hard and complex situations of my relationship. The invitation to be a form a Community Defenders Network had an immediate positive response in an environment with a feeling of elation at the possibility of doing something sustainable and concrete against the scourge of violence, both in their own lives and in that of the community. Although, in the beginning, the immediate expectations were more related to unrealistic solutions to violent situations and not with education processes, advocacy actions and deep personal changes. It is important to mention

Photo 20. Some of the Community Defenders of the Municipal Network against Violence, accompanied by Ms. Corina Guerra and the Dr. Jhenny Andrade, from Mujeres en Accin. The Program gave them distinctive clothes so that they can be identified by the people.

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Every commission took specific responsibilities but complementary to one another. Although sometimes there were differences between women leaders from one or another commission, in connection with the responsibilities and the representativeness at public spaces and in the Programs events, Mujeres en Accin worked to promote a horizontal and cohesive relationship between among the participants. They all worked to meet the same goal: to raise awareness on gender-based violence, encouraging healthier relationships between men and women, promote more positive attitudes regarding the childrens education, mainly showing the possibility of new paradigms of living in family and in community, under the motto Good treatment (kindness) is good for everyone (El buen trato hace bien a todos y todas.) With this motto, the women committed to the Community Defenders Network began a hard but necessary process of first challenging their own ways of thinking, looking and acting under the power of a prevailing patriarchal system. One of the greatest challenges was the need to know how to act and control themselves to face the situation in which the man arrives drunk... because one of the most common phenomena is the excessive alcohol consumption and the will to discuss and clear things out with a drunken person. Since the formation of the Network, the Program has redefined its training strategy, giving priority to the Community Defenders so that they could play an effective role in its struggle against violence. Before the Programs activities in Uriondo began, most of the women who took part in the Community Defenders group hadnot experienced a reflexive and mobilizing approach regarding gender-based violence. It seems that most of them came to the first events carried out by Mujeres en Accin out of curiosity about a topic which they felt was present and that, in some way, they accepted it as part of their community and their lives. The first public event organized with the participation of the Women Community Defenders was the public hearing. For this, around 100 people were answered the call. The Community Defenders and the public submitted requests to the Municipal Council Members related to reducing gender-based violence

in Bolivia. As a result, a written document was handed out to the Municipal Council, who committed to take it into account during the future administrations. This hearing was the first such public hearing to be held in El Valle de Concepcin, marking a historic moment in the municipal dynamics.

Photo 21. Members of the Defenders association got together with the Mayor, Governor and Senior Officer at the red saloon of the City Hall, presenting a report on the activities and conclusions corresponding to the Projects first stage.

Later, with the Programs support, the Community Defenders could carry out two roundtable dialogues with the officials about the issue of violence and the situation of the prevention and assistance services in Uriondo. What is remarkable about these encounters was the fact that many Community Defenders had, for the first time, the chance to share a critical and advocacy space in social politics with officials from the Municipal Government, health professionals, police officers, the Judicial branch and organizations leaders. These events raised the concerns for these humble women in a manner they had not attempted in the past. Their suggestions were incorporated into the organization of the Community Defenders and became a first step towards raising awareness and changing attitudes regarding gender-based violence in the town and the municipality. The mobilization of the Community Defenders and their identification as such in different public and private settings of Valle de la Concepcin has influenced in a decisive way that gender-based violence is no longer invisible or ignored and that it is placed on the public agenda. Several Women Community Defenders work at different institutions.

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They have a private economic activity or they are part of the towns social dynamics and, in addition, theyre now known as members of the Community Defenders Network Against Violence. Its important to mention that after the Networks formation, three of the Women Defenders began to work at City Hall to work and two into the Sub-government. This confirms the large impact the Network is having on the towns dynamics and on the Defenders lives. For the aforementioned reasons, the group became well-known in the locality and there are comments of different kinds, positive or negatives4 . This proves that the Network is constantly under the scrutiny of El Valles society. The personal changes which were noticed in several participant women are a significant indicator of the impact the Program has had on their lives and family contexts. The Community Defenders consider that the approach and involvement in the education process generated by the Program, the public actions and the making public previously a silenced problem to have enhanced their perspective and analysis about gender-based violence, leading to new ways to face everyday life and intimate decisions about their life projects. For example, some of the women who took part in the Programs events expressed their interest in continuing the training and participating in similar activities. Another one, goes daily goes to an institute in Tarija to receive training. Another participant decided to complete her school education so as to play her role as a Community Defender more efficiently.

so as to be able to take advantage of the knowledge and learning or all and to improve collective performance. Whats more, they appreciate the fact that Mujeres en Accin offered ethical guidelines with regards to the role they must fulfill when it comes to supporting a victim of violence. To support this last element, Mujeres en Accin developed a handbook with guidelines for the fulfillment of the Community Defender role. To date, the Community Defenders have helped in several cases. In one sample case the victim was a 14-year-old student and the aggressor was a relative very close to the family. He owns the house where the teenager lived together with her mother and younger sisters. One day, the attacker extorted and abused the teenager, as far as forcing her to abandon school due to his jealousy. One of the victims school mates filed the complaint to the head of Public Safety. In view of the complaint, the DNA immediately began to attend to the case. However, the victim did not want to file the complaint and the aggressor chose to migrate to Argentina. In view of this event, the Community Defender got support for the affected family through the housing (plan de vivienda) provided by the public works ministry. In this way the family could leave the attackers house. In the second example a young single mother got a credit of 1200 Bs. to pay for her sons care during his illness. Parts of the resources were used on the medical treatment. For this reason, she had to get a new loan of 300 Bs. Later, as she could not pay the contracted debts and was being harassed by the creditor, she became very depressed and tried to commit suicide. This left her in very delicate health. Due to this fact, one of the Community Defenders took on her case, raising money to pay for the treatments for her son and to pay off the debt. At the same time, they helped her get a physical space so that she could start a business of her own. Despite the Networks multiple positive impacts, there are still many pending tasks. They require, for instance, the consolidation of a regulatory or policy instrument that ensure care of the victims immediate needs Also, the Network must endeavor to improve to the services of prevention and care of the cases of violence. In order to do this, it needs to deepen

Photo 22. Four Defenders showing the banner they received from the Program.

The Defenders value the role played by Mujeres en Accin. They point out that the Program has been the impetus that generated the Network and, once this was settled, it sought to establish horizontal, equal and collaborative relationships among the members,

4 Within the environment of different social groups or spaces, as the officials of the Area (Seccin) Government, Municipal Government and others, the reference to the Defenders could be heard as There they are, the women in action, or they related them to the Bolivian womens association called Mujeres Creando (Women Creating). Facetiously, some men expressed in informal conversations that its necessary to organize ourselves to conform the Men in Action association.

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the recognition and coordination process with the public institutions. Within the Defenders Network, there are still some conflicts, power struggles and stressed differences between Defenders who follow different empowerment processes. For example, whereas some still need to go through a selfreflection process, others have already helped in taking care of cases of women victims of violence. In order to give continuity to their work, the Network has proposed different strategies to create sustainability conditions, such as campaigns, voluntary contributions, management through financial institutions, search of supporters (godparents, padrinos) and fundraising, among others. In order to follow these strategies, the Defenders Council should be formally recognized by the Municipality and, following the determined criteria so it can receive support from the government or another kind of institutional support.

Public Safety Program. Thanks to the joint work between these institutions and Mujeres en Accin, currently there is a significant increase of complaints and requests of support in situations of violence presented in both divisions. Likewise, the Program provided a place for analysis and debates about gender-based violence between officials from the Municipal Government, such as the Uriondo Area (Seccin) Government. Despite these important achievements, it is prudent to take into account that there is still a lot to do with regards to the Government and municipal services, the victim intake and tracking system, the quality of the internal review by the institutions and the political will of those in charge. Lastly, we want to stress how important it is to do research on various topics related to violence which were not discussed yet. One of these is the significant amount of attempted suicides and successful suicides in one of the municipalitys regions. This has recently encouraged the beginning of the public education activities for the prevention and handling of this issue, directed by several institutions from Uriondo and the city of Tarija. This problem is historical and encloses a great deal of dramatic events. Many of them were not properly handled, so its pertinent to consider the importance of research that leads to a deep understanding of the phenomenon and the performance of well thought out activities to take care of it. Within the framework of this issue, the gender perspective is a substantial element.

5. Impacts of the Reducing GenderBased Violence in Bolivia Program in Uriondo

The greatest impact and the Programs best sustainability strategy is the formation of the Defenders Network, as this organization is causing a historic change in the socio-cultural dynamics of El Valle and it has earned a space which must be protected and empowered. It is important to highlight that the Community Defenders, throughout the Program, were progressively gaining skills to relate both to the communities and the public institutions, which allowed them to develop, in a systematic manner, the common interest which gets them together: to provide solutions to this problem and to manage the situations of violence at the personal and domestic level. The cases handled by the Community Defenders show that this Network is not only supporting victims of violence, but its also encouraging people to respect womens rights and to give them a wider range of options regarding growth. In addition to the Network, another important impact is the work carried out by the DNA and the

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Terms and Vocabulary

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