Digital Project against Domestic Violence in Bolivia Praised

The project, which was formerly supported by IICD in collaboration with local partner Casa de la Mujer was presented as an example of an inspiring innovative approach to capacity development that leads to the improvement of people’s lives.

The project consists of an online consulting service for women suffering from domestic violence, which provides them legal advice and the opportunity to interact online anonymously with professional counsellors. In addition, these women are trained in the basic use of computers as well as the use of tools such as chat and Skype where they can speak to their peers or learn how to anonymously tell their story.

Given that most women do not have a computer of their own, Casa de La Mujer has created computer centres throughout Santa Cruz, which women can visit and use for free to send messages to lawyers and psychologists who volunteer in the project or to other victims, anonymously, if they prefer.

As a result, the women feel that they are not alone. By interacting with other women facing the same problems and by being introduced to basic ICT skills like blogging or using Skype, they are given a voice to communicate about domestic violence and inspire other women who suffer in other areas of the country. In addition to this, ICT has given them the opportunity to seek help maintaining their anonymity, something that is really important to victims of domestic violence and gender discrimination.

IICD’s officer Community Relations, Innovation & Capacity Development, Saskia Harmsen says that “We are pleased with the results seen from the training of 600 women in the use of ICT, and in the use of the on-line legal services and in legal rights issues”.

Casa de la Mujer is a Bolivian women’s organisation whose objective is to improve the quality of life of women and to promote equal gender relations.

PSO  was founded in 1985, to facilitate the posting abroad of professionals in the context of development cooperation. Being a learning attendant, PSO assists its members and other development organisations to learn about the numerous aspects of capacity strengthening in Southern societies.
Let’s innovate instead of duplicate!  is a publication issued by PSO, where PSO member organisations and their partners share their experience and knowledge of solutions that are applicable locally as well as their successful stories of innovative approaches to capacity development.