Outcome BOL_D_3.1

Institutional and civil society actors contribute to reducing the levels of violence against women, children, adolescents, youth and the LGTBIQ+ population, ensuring essential services for victims of gender-based and generational violence, developing prevention strategies and transforming the sociocultural patterns that sustain it.

In 2025, Bolivia consolidated measurable advances toward a safer, more rights-protective environment for women, girls, youth, and LGBTIQ+ populations. Evidence shows structural progress: national prevalence of violence against women decreased from 39.4% (2016) to 30.5% ( 2023), additionally around 46,213 women now have access to essential services that meet common standards of quality and dignity. Reflecting strengthened institutional systems, increased survivor protection, and expanding community accountability. These gains demonstrate that violence is no longer treated as an individual burden but as a public responsibility supported by coordinated state action, empowered civil society, and shifting social norms. A cornerstone of this transformation was the institutionalization of national standards for survivor care through Ministerial Resolution 216/2025. This resolution operationalized Law 348 by establishing a single, standardized care framework across all 342 municipalities, ensuring that the quality of assistance remains consistent regardless of geographic location. By introducing a "mancomunación" (resource-pooling) model, the state successfully decentralized justice to rural and remote areas, eliminating the geographic barriers that once forced survivors to travel up to eight hours to access urban centers. This fiscal and operational synergy allowed 94 municipalities to pool budgets for the hiring of permanent, multidisciplinary teams, resulting in an unprecedented 97% reduction in staff turnover among specialized personnel. Political sustainability was further secured as 54 municipalities formally integrated violence prevention budgets into their 2026 Annual Operating Plans, moving these efforts away from temporary donor-funded projects toward permanent, state-budgeted mandates. The state’s capacity for monitoring and accountability was revolutionized through the technical upgrading of the Unique Registry of Violence, which saw a 664% increase in coverage, expanding its reach from 31 to 237 municipalities. This real-time, decentralized data generation enabled the Attorney General’s Office to professionalize the investigation and prosecution of feminicide through specialized forensic and legal instruments, while the Ombudsman’s Office has actualized data to monitor the care services. To ensure that "leaving no one behind" became a practical reality, the program implemented specialized protocols for women and girls with disabilities in 92 municipalities. These protocols, supported by accessible tools in Braille and sign language manuals, successfully removed physical and procedural barriers, allowing local governments to provide differentiated, dignity-affirming care to previously underserved populations. UN Women successfully shifted the narrative of violence from a private matter to a community mandate by engaging non-traditional actors as active allies. In traditionally conservative and culturally sensitive contexts, religious and community leadership—historically reluctant or resistant to gender equality—now publicly endorse and legitimize violence prevention. This grassroots movement was complemented by the "Positive Masculinity Laboratories," which engaged nearly 3,000 men and boys to redefine male identity through domestic co-responsibility and non-violence. Mass awareness reached 1.1 million people via indigenous-language radio broadcasts in Quechua and Aymara and digital campaigns led by 63 local influencers, while prevention was "future-proofed" through the formal adoption of school prevention plans in 49 municipalities, turning educational centers into active "Safe Zones." Urban safety was redefined through the empowerment of marginalized groups, specifically female waste pickers in El Alto, who utilized self-defense and participatory mapping of 147 risk zones to reclaim public spaces as safe environments for both work and transit. This physical reclamation was reinforced by the Empoderarme App, a mobile application that reached 9,644 active downloads, providing a digital safety net through real-time location tracking and panic buttons. To sustain these gains, a USD 642,000 investment reinforced 14 Civil Society Organizations which now serve as high-performance watchdogs and professional service providers, ensuring that the state remains accountable to the formal pledges consolidated during the UNiTE 2025. Through this integrated approach—blending institutional reform, community leadership, and technological innovation—Bolivia has woven a stronger fabric of protection that offers survivors not only immediate relief but a sustainable path toward a life free from violence.

Institutional and civil society actors contribute to reducing the levels of violence against women, children, adolescents, youth and the LGTBIQ+ population, ensuring essential services for victims of gender-based and generational violence, developing prevention strategies and transforming the sociocultural patterns that sustain it.

In Bolivia, significant progress is being made in the fight against violence against women, driven by a collaborative effort involving the government, civil society, and international partners such as UN Women. This united approach has resulted in transformative changes, particularly in enhancing access to services and promoting societal shifts toward gender equality. Improved Access to Services for Indigenous Women and Survivors: One of the most notable achievements has been the improved access to essential services for survivors of violence, particularly indigenous women. This success is a result of concerted efforts by civil society organizations, grassroots groups, and governmental institutions, supported by UN Women. Collaborative initiatives have ensured the availability of resources and culturally sensitive interventions that address the unique challenges faced by marginalized populations. Masculinities Approaches: Transforming Gender Norms: A groundbreaking advancement has been the widespread adoption of “masculinities” programs in 88 municipalities, reaching nearly 977,000 men. These re-education initiatives, spearheaded by civil society organizations and supported by UN Women, emphasize psychotherapeutic interventions to challenge harmful gender norms. These programs empower men to adopt respectful and equitable relationships, actively contributing to the prevention of violence against women. Decline in Femicides: A Positive Trend: The steady decline in femicides in Bolivia reflects significant progress in the fight against gender-based violence. According to a CEPAL report, reported femicides have decreased from 147 cases in 2018 to 81 in 2023 URL . This downward trend demonstrates the impact of strengthened legal frameworks, institutional reforms, and collaborative efforts between various stakeholders. One of the key drivers of this progress has been the 2023 legislative amendments, which introduced stricter penalties for perpetrators of gender-based violence, including femicide. These reforms have acted as a strong deterrent, reinforcing accountability and justice for victims. URL In addition, comprehensive training programs for law enforcement officials, implemented in 2023 and 2024 with technical and financial support from UN Women, have been instrumental in enhancing institutional capacity. These programs have equipped law enforcement agencies with the tools and knowledge needed to effectively investigate and respond to cases of gender-based violence, ensuring timely and appropriate actions to protect survivors and bring perpetrators to justice. This progress is a testament to the effectiveness of targeted legal, institutional, and capacity-building interventions in creating safer communities and promoting gender equality. Advancing Gender Equality: The Role of Civil Society in Shifting Social Norms: Bolivia is witnessing a growing societal understanding of gender equality and women´s rights, driven in large part by the active participation of civil society organizations. Public awareness campaigns, grassroots initiatives, and advocacy efforts have contributed to an increasing recognition among men and women, particularly young adults, of the importance of gender diversity in leadership and women´s full participation in the workforce. This evolving mindset is a critical foundation for building a more equitable and just society. Heightened Awareness of Women´s Safety in Public Spaces: There is also a noticeable increase in awareness of the importance of ensuring women’s safety in public spaces. Civil society groups, working alongside UN Women, have been instrumental in advocating for and supporting the development of effective measures to combat violence against women in these settings. Through partnerships with policymakers in both the public and private sectors, these organizations have provided access to the latest knowledge, tools, and strategies to address safety concerns within communities. Civil Society´s Impact on Policymaking and Implementation: Civil society has played a pivotal role in influencing and monitoring policy implementation. Their advocacy efforts have ensured that issues such as gender-based violence and women´s safety remain central to public and private sector agendas. By engaging local communities and amplifying women´s voices, they have fostered accountability and driven the creation of more inclusive policies that prioritize women´s rights and safety. Finally, a significant achievement has been the establishment of 31 Collaborative Essential Services in 94 rural municipalities. These models, facilitated by UN Women, have enabled coordinated service delivery, improved resource allocation, and ensured continuous, quality, and timely support for survivors of violence. This collaborative approach has also fostered a commitment among local authorities to hire and retain specialized personnel to address gender-based violence effectively. In conclusion, this progress underscores the importance of civil society´s participation in shifting social norms and advancing gender equality. Their efforts, combined with targeted support from organizations like UN Women, are transforming attitudes and practices, paving the way for a safer, more inclusive society where women can fully exercise their rights to continue to contribute to national development free of violence.

Institutional and civil society actors contribute to reducing the levels of violence against women, children, adolescents, youth and the LGTBIQ+ population, ensuring essential services for victims of gender-based and generational violence, developing prevention strategies and transforming the sociocultural patterns that sustain it.

The Country Office has made significant strides towards strengthening the capabilities of a wide range of institutional and civil society actors to contribute effectively to reducing the levels of violence against women, ensuring essential services for victims. The efforts have reached the most marginalized populations through the development of Joint Models to assist women and girls in situation of violence. This work was developed in the municipalities of Curahuara de Carangas, San Pedro de Totora and Huayllamarca in the Department of Oruro; Huatajata; Chua; Cocani, Coro Coro and Comanche of the Department of La Paz; Moro Moro and y Trigal of the Department of Santa Cruz through the creation of the Inter-Institutional Alliance Network with municipal authorities. With UN Women’s work, 982 indigenous women were reached through joint model services. Building upon UN Women's Joint Models, the Vice Ministry of Equal Opportunities launched a network-driven approach, establishing 20 "Local Networks. Moreover, UN Women has spearheaded a groundbreaking rehabilitation program for aggressors, implemented in collaboration with the Ombudsman's Office. This program has reached 512 male aggressors, offering a unique path towards accountability and positive change. Additionally, UN Women has strengthened capacities of the National Police, the Bolivian University System and the Ministry of Presidency working on sexual harassment in public spaces and building a strategy to prevent TF GBV. In another crucial development, UN Women has successfully developed the first Virtual Survey for People with diverse sexual orientation, and gender identity and expression in Bolivia. The report named Unequal before the Law reveals inequalities and rights violations faced by LGTBIQ+ Community, paving the way for more effective advocacy and support. Technical assistance was provided by UN Women to develop communication strategies and normative tools to prevent different forms of violence against women and girls, such as #VirtualisReal campaign and the campaign #Itis Harassment and raise awareness on sexual harassment women face in public spaces and on gender-based violence facilitated by technology.