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The Actual Panorama In Latin American and Caribbean Countries
in Regards to Women Assault
Esther Frid
Family Services of Greater Vancover
As a family counsellor working in Vancouver with the Latin
American community since 1986, I have been made aware of many
issues these families confront, including family violence.
I have dedicated time to explore more deeply the issues of
violence in relationships, to study the dynamics involved
in abusive relationships as well as the effects of abuse on
family members.
I have also invested time exploring initiatives that have
taken place throughout Latin American with regards to the
abuse of women. In June of 1994 I had the opportunity to attend
in Mexico City the International Conference of Governmental
Institutions for Women's Development. The delegates presented
different issues and concerns related to women in their countries,
including new initiatives undertaken to help, protect and
advocate for women's rights.
Most recently I attended the Beijing Women's conference,
where I participated in many of the workshops related to family
violence and wife assault. This presented a great opportunity
for me to update what is happening today in Latin America
and the Caribbean regarding women abuse.
The information in this paper is a result of data that I
gathered through books and articles that address the issue
of women abuse. Much of the information was taken from publications
that circulate in Spanish or that refer to gender issues in
Latin American countries. Information was also gathered by
me through networking with Canadian institutions that work
with Latin American immigrants and refugees, in particular
around the issues of abuse in relationships.
I have extended my network into different Latin American
countries where I have exchanged information about projects
and initiatives on women's rights and in particular, wife
assault.
A useful resource was provided by UNIFEM publications, the
United Nations organization that funds international women's
programs, in particular those initiatives related to violence
against women, where it is acknowledged to be an obstacle
to development.
In many Latin American and Caribbean countries women's organizations
have started to address the issue of violence against women.
Some initiatives have emerged, although in developing countries
the social and economic resources are very limited. The few
initiatives that exist today are valued as an important step
to bring to public awareness the fact that violence against
women is a major social problem.
Women's movements have begun promoting public campaigns
in different countries. The creation of women's centres is
the first step in helping women more directly by providing
orientation and support. In many countries the few existing
resources are located in the major cities, while there are
very limited resources to those who live in more remote areas.
The issue of family violence has been reviewed by different
disciplines, including the political, legal, medical and psychological
fields. Today gender studies have been implemented in different
universities in Latin America.
In 1994 Chile succeeded in reforming its criminal and family
laws, giving special attention to issues related to violence
against women and the need for social protection. Other Latin
American countries have also presented proposals for a review
of criminal laws. Of reforms still needing approval, most
are related to violence against women in relationships and
the major participation of women in legal, social and political
institutions. Implementation of the proposed reforms is part
of the process that most Latin American and Caribbean countries
need to work through in order to be able to guarantee women's
rights and protection.
CLADEM (the Latin American Committee for the Defense of
Women's Rights) is an organization established in Costa Rica
in 1987, with a regional office in Peru. It has been responsible
for promoting and designing strategies and actions for women's
rights throughout Latin America and the Caribbean. Latin America
and the Caribbean, with domestic violence and sexual violence
the central topic. After this, November 25 became the official
date for public and political campaigns for the elimination
of violence against women.
Also in 1990 the Chilean Network Against Domestic Violence
began to document and assess the dimension of the problem
of wife assault. The Instituto de la Mujer (The Woman's Institute)
was created and advocated for women's rights with a project
entitled "Mujer y Legalidad en Chile: Una Propuesta de Cambio",
(Women and Legislation in Chile, a Proposal for Change). In
1994 the law, 19.325 was approved, which also established
procedures and sanctions related to acts of family violence.
The Instituto de la Mujer has also created a National Service
for Women as well as holding public forums, where protection,
orientation and counselling is provided to women in all regions
of the country. The Instituto has also advocated for training
in the police and public services in order to help women more
directly.
Unfortunately, some services that have been initiated in
Chile are facing financial difficulties, and many agencies
have reduced their direct services, among them the project,
Breaking the Silence (Rompiendo Silencios).
Argentina is another country where different centres have
been established to help women through public campaigns, orientation,
protection, legal advice and counselling. Among these organizations,
the Foundations Alicia Moreau de Justo has been active in
designing different strategies to provide education and intervention
on violence against women. Argentina has also created the
Comisaria de la Mujer (a police department that deals with
women's issues).
Today in Argentina a strong movement exists for the defence
of women's rights, and demands are being made for greater
participation of women in political platforms and in creating
legislation on domestic violence. Annual national meetings
are held to review all proposals related to women's issues,
and today the number of women lawyers has increased with a
focus on protecting and educating women about their rights.
Uruguay has also established women's centres and a special
police unit for women's issues. In 1992, Paraguay created
the Ministry of Women (Secretaria de la Mujer), responsible
for women's rights and services. Their task is to propose
reforms to the Legislature around women's issues, including
violence, health and reproductive rights. In Paraguay as well,
the Collective Women's Centre, November 25 (Centre Colectivo
para Mujeres) provides orientation and counselling for women
who live in abusive relationships.
In 1988 Brazil was one of the first countries to establish
a Women's Police Department (Comisarias de la Mujer), where
police women receive special training to intervene and help
women in issues of wife assault, reducing the perpetual abuse
faced by women from men who work in public service departments.
Women's centres and a transition house were also opened through
this initiative. In November 1993 the Brazilian Network Against
Domestic and Sexual Violence was created.
Women's initiatives are also underway in Belize and Colombia,
while in Haiti the First National Encounter of Violence Against
Women was held in 1993.
In Mexico in 1990 La Secretaria de la Mujer (Women's Ministry)
was formed as well as the Fundacion para la Promocion y Defensa
de la Legalidad, Causa Comun de los Mexicanos, I.A.P. (Foundation
for promotion of defence for legality, a common cause for
Mexicans, I.A.P.), to eliminate women's oppression and abuse
in the context of family and society.
Today there is no legal protection for women who live in
violent relationships in Mexico. In 1991 reform of the Criminal
Code was proposed, but has not been approved. Initiatives
have emerged in some states in Mexico, while in other states
there is no protection for women. Studies undertaken by women's
centres assessing the abuse of women reveal that existing
resources are very limited, especially taking into consideration
the country's size and the percentage of women in the population.
Services such as "AVISE", a Centre that provides legal orientation
and counselling in cases of family violence and sexual abuse
in Mexico City, have been threatened with closure due to lack
of funding.
Recently in Mexico City a group of men have joined together
to promote social change. The group, called "Collective Project
for Pro-Equal Relationships", is made up of professional men
who work with men who have been abusive. They have established
a network of men's groups to encourage other men to help stop
the abuse of women. At the University level, Gender Studies
are also now being taught.
Women's centres and university studies for women's studies
are being established throughout the central American countries
of Nicaragua, El Salvador, Panama, Honduras, Costa Rica and
Guatemala, as well as in South American countries, providing
some hope for reform.
There is much more to do to help women to have a more respectful
and safe place in their homes and societies today. All efforts
are appreciated.
For further information, please contact the author at:
Family Services of Greater Vancouver
Fax: (604) 874-9898
Bibliography:
Boletin. Red Feminista Latino Americana y del Caribe
Contra la Violencia Domestica y sexual. Isis International,
3/94
La Violencia Contra la Mujer: Un obstaculo para su desarrollo.
Carrillo Roxana, UNIFEM, 1992
UNIFEM Publications
777 UN Plaza, 3rd Floor
New York, N.Y. 10010, USA.
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