Links of interes Watch the video on the presentation (s) Institutional Development Fund Observatorio de Violencia y Criminalidad del Ministerio del Interior More information on the banner contest (s)  Project Basic Data Implementing agency: Ministry of Social Development, National Women’s Institute. Grant amount: U$S 300,000 Proyect number: IDF 053995 World Bank project coordinator: Teresa Genta-Fons

August 16, 2007- Montevideo, Uruguay. A woman is killed every nine days in Uruguay as a result of domestic violence According to the most recent statistics published by the Observatorio de Violencia y Criminalidad (Violence and Crime Observatory), reports filed for violence against women have risen almost 56% percent in the last year. The problem is not restricted to a certain age bracket, class, social group, or religious affiliation. Women may ask for help after 30 or 40 years of marriage while others do it because of a particular event or when they feel their children are   affected by the situation.

In this context, over 350 attendees from Uruguay’s 19 provinces filled an auditorium to double its capacity for the closing presentation of the Domestic Violence Training Program in Montevideo.

The training seminar was part of the project “Institutional Justice Strengthening for Equitable Development” financed by a US$ 300,000 World Bank Institutional Development Fund (IDF) grant.  The project’s aims at forging a consensus to implement key actions to improve victims’ access to justice.

The seminar brought together judges, district attorneys, public defenders, legal aids, health professionals, education professionals, social workers, law enforcement officers, forensic specialists, and civil society representatives. Over the course of ten months they shared experiences on domestic violence issues and developed ways to better coordinate actions.

The sessions aimed to raise participants’ awareness about the severity of the problem. Topics included the definition of domestic violence, its forms of expression, social factors, the roots to this kind of violence, international instruments to combat it, the national regulatory framework, and the present situation in Uruguay (strengths and weaknesses, figures, institutional progress, challenges.)

“Violence against women both violates human rights and prevents women from actively participating in and benefiting from the development process,” said Teresa Genta, project manager for the World Bank’s Institutional Justice Strengthening for Equitable Development Project.

“This violence is not only a legal matter, but a financial and development issue that requires a multi-sectoral and integrated approach. Uruguay has taken important steps addressing these issues and the government is working successfully with civil society organizations to complement international efforts and fight violence,” Genta added.

Toward a Collective Consciousness
Workshop participants emphasized the importance of developing a collective consciousness about the problem.

“The training allowed us to see that we’re not isolated movements, but rather that there are networks working on the issue…Now we have another perspective and can see the issue in a different light,” said a judge from Montevideo.

Other participants stated that their perspective on the issue changed completely after the series of workshops and that they gained a much better understanding of the need of a multi-stakeholder approach in addressing domestic violence. “We shared perspectives throughout the process. Knowing who the other person is and how he or she works creates trust,” commented a participant from the Ministry of Public Health.

The Judiciary valued the increased knowledge about institutions available for long term action in certain domestic violence situations. “Now I know of organizations that are working well and can support the victims,” stated a judge from the Canelones province, in southern Uruguay.

Spread the Discussion to Mercosur
The initiative has raised awareness about the need of common action against domestic violence among key stakeholders. The next step is to bring other stakeholders into the discussion. In order to raise people’s awareness about violence against women and girls in the public and private arena, a regional poster contest will be organized for al MERCOSUR (Brazil, Argentina, Paraguay, and Uruguay) countries. This competition will also raise awareness of women’s rights protected by international conventions as well as reveal the negative effects of violence against women on households and society at large.