Dossier on Domestic Violence in Latin America and the Caribbean

What are the challenges of tackling domestic violence in Latin America and Caribbean region and what lessons have been learnt? This publication reports on research from 3 different sub-regions: Brazil and the Southern Cone (including Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Paraguay and Uruguay); the Andes (including Bolivia, Colombia, Ecuador and Peru); and Central America, Mexico and the Caribbean (El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico, Nicaragua, Panama and Puerto Rico). The first part of the report looks at institutional changes, alliances built to confront violence and some of the strategies used. The second part details findings from work with indigenous, Afro-Caribbean and rural women, and with women living with armed conflict. Recommendations include using the term 'violence against women' in legislation as opposed to 'domestic violence' or 'family violence'. This makes women more visible and helps such violence to be seen in human rights terms. Other recommendations include building alliances with women's organisations, the government, the judiciary, the health services, the media, and academia; focusing more on the prevention of violence and providing diversified campaigns and services to address the needs of different groups of women.