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 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.