Forum on Violence against Women

“When you have an abusive husband who has strangled you in addition to psychological abuse for years, and the police tell you to bring them evidence or to bring your husband in so they can talk to him…of course he will jump right at the opportunity, recognizing that he needs to change and will never be violent again!” Laura (name changed) said sarcastically and all the women in the room nodded their heads silently in understanding at the forum, Bolivia Women Today, Voices of the Women.

Photo taken by: Marc Adams©

Having noticed the strong prevalence of violence against women and children, a collaborative group here in Cochabamba decided we should hold a forum to discuss the reality with women themselves and work together to come up with solutions to improve the situation. We also invited different public entities that assist women in situations of abuse or violence as well as NGOs because everyone has a unique perspective to add to the conversation.

As you may remember from the beginning of this blog, a big part of what called me back to Bolivia was the opportunity to help in the process of preparing a submission for the Universal Periodic Review of Bolivia at the Human Rights Council of the UN, to relay what the situation of human rights is in the country. Our idea is not to just comment from our own opinions but really consult the people about their reality and how to make it better.

Photo taken by: Marc Adams©

For that reason we planned this forum, where there were almost 100 people present and some very good discussion was had that produced 7 key problem areas and ideas for solutions:  access to education (as fundamental to counter gender violence); economic independence of women; public labor policies (relating to job opportunities, child care, loans etc.); access to justice (decentralize the location of the institutions that attend to women’s cases of violence and discrimination, better attention from the State to follow their cases and see them through in a timely manner); access to healthcare (with professionals and equipment necessary to attend to women’s health issues as well as violence); larger part of the budget (dedicated toward implementing programs in education, defense and justice, assistance to victims of violence etc.); and the participation and the organization of civil society (in order to prevent violence, we cannot just expect the State to take care of it, it has to be a larger community effort).

It was so encouraging to look across the room and see women from different backgrounds, regions, social classes, and education levels, all focused on dialoguing about their reality, the reality of the women they know, and coming up with ideas of how to CHANGE the reality for the better. I was really pleased to see present people from some NGO’s, the police, people from the health field, and people from social services, also there partaking in the conversation. 

The challenge was and still remains to not let that one morning of information, brainstorming and sharing end there. The idea of participating in the UPR (review at the UN on human rights) is not to write a report and sign out, NO. The idea long-term is to seek positive real change in society; changes that reflect the dignity of every human being and contribute to the common good of the community. It’s a good goal to have and at the same time a very slow process to get there—but I see great potential!

Photo taken by: Marc Adams©

That day at the forum, I left feeling really hopeful and I felt part of a larger group that also dreams what I dream. Their energy filled me and it’s what keeps me going, despite the slowness of putting together a collaborative report. This report though, is only the beginning. It is the jumping off point of a much larger “campaign” to seek these changes, and I ask that you hold me accountable—ask me how things are going, and share ideas with me! I will very gladly accept them and share them here in Bolivia. In my next entry, I’ll be giving a closer look at the process of the UPR…stay tuned!

5 Things I'm thankful for today: hugs; eating avocados when they are "just right" and so delicious; by surprise seeing a Sister here in Bolivia, more than 4 years after having met her in my formation with FMS in Washington, DC; receiving an email by surprise from a friend, with whom I haven't been able to communicate for a year; the chance to reflect and pray.