On Thursday, July 17, in the city of Sucre, hosted the forum focused on the theme: “Justice for a Society Free from Violence”, voiced by representatives of various women’s organisations from across the country who took part in the IV Forum for a Bolivia with Equality. The forum featured the participation of candidates from five political organisations—Fuerza Popular, Alianza Unidad, Alianza Libre, MAS-IPSP, and LYP-ADN—who presented their proposals and responded to specific questions on the justice system and violence against women in Bolivia. Our allied organisation, the Coordinadora de la Mujer, convened the event, along with various institutions, with the support of the European Centre for Electoral Support (ECES) through the PRO-Election Bolivia initiative, funded by the European Union through the Foreign Policy Instrument (FPI). More than 220 women leaders from social and territorial organisations across the country participated, emphasising the urgent need to reform the judicial system, strengthen the independence of powers, and ensure impartial, efficient, and people-centred justice.
Participants demanded accessible justice that does not revictimize, responds promptly to reports of domestic violence, holds aggressors accountable, and puts an end to impunity. They asserted their right to grow and live free from violence—at home, at school, at work, and in public spaces. They highlighted the need for effective violence prevention policies and called on political organisations to commit to amending Law No. 348 to ensure its full and effective implementation. These demands were presented directly to the attending candidates as part of a collective agenda built from the lived realities and voices of organised women under the framework of Agenda País: For a Bolivia with Equality from the Perspective of Women.
ECES was represented by Carolina Floru, Senior Expert in Electoral Observation and Civil Society, and Katia Uriona G., Expert in Gender, Empowerment, and Political Violence Against Women.
31 july 2025
