Introduction to the subject of “violence against women”

Violence against women is still very common in the countries of the Andean region and Paraguay. It is estimated that between 30% and 70% of women in these countries are survivors of gender-based violence (official sources from Peru, Ecuador, Bolivia).

All countries in the Andean region and Paraguay are committed to preventing, combating and punishing violence against women and have ratified significant international conventions as well as national protection laws and action plans against gender-based violence. However, the limited exchange of information and experience and the insufficient articulation between public, private and civil society actors make it difficult to implement existing laws and action plans and have very serious social and economic consequences for societies as a whole and for the development of their citizens in particular.