Development Account Projects
Strengthening of women police stations and civil society to counteract gender-related violence in Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Paraguay and Uruguay
Background:
Violence against women (VAW) is a human rights abuse that directly affects one-third of women and indirectly affects all men and women. Each year millions of women are affected by beatings, rape, torture, intimidation, humiliation and discrimination. The perpetrators can be strangers, soldiers or colleagues. More commonly, they are partners or relatives.
Brazil and South Cone countries (Argentina, Chile, Paraguay and Uruguay) experience high crime and violence rates against women, including rape. In all countries, violence rates against women are prone to subnotification. Shame, stigma and fear are impediments for formal accusations.
This project is aimed at strengthening the capacity of Women Police Stations in selected cities of Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Paraguay and Uruguay – which are charged with investigating and prosecuting cases of violence against women – to counter gender-based violence. This project mobilizes law enforcement officials (male and female) and civil society to effectively respond to violence against women.
Objective:
To strengthen the capacity of Women Police Stations in selected cities of Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Paraguay and Uruguay to counter gender-based violence.
Expected Accomplishments:
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Improved capacity to provide support to victims of gender-based violence.
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Increased level of knowledge and awareness among government officials and civil society on issues related to violence against women.
- Development of a formal regional knowledge and good practice network architecture that will bring together community actors, civil society and governmental institutions
- Development of a toolkit to facilitate the scaling up and replication of this pilot project in other countries.
Implementation Status:
Project implementation commenced in 2006.
