WUNRN
Amnesty International
Direct Link to Report:
Published: 16 July 2008
The introduction in 2007 of the Organic law on the right of women to a life free of violence has helped strengthen women’s access to their human rights in Venezuela. However, there has been a gap between what the law has promised and its implementation in practice. This report focuses on the 2007 law. Although the law covers many different aspects and manifestations of violence against women, this report concentrates on the specific issue of violence against women in the family.
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17 July 2008
In a
new report published on Wednesday 16 July, Amnesty International urged the
Venezuelan authorities to show the political will and provide the resources
needed to ensure the new law on violence against women will not just exist on
paper.
“The 2007 Venezuelan law to protect women from violence is an example for the
rest of the region but it will be useless for women unless it’s fully
implemented,” said Guadalupe Marengo, Deputy Director of Amnesty
International’s Americas Programme.
“Implementation of the law means more shelters, special tribunals and training
for those who have to deal with these crimes.”
Amnesty International’s report, Venezuela: "The law is there,
let's use it" Ending domestic violence in Venezuela, looks at
the reality of domestic violence for women in Venezuela.
Thousands of women in Venezuela suffer beatings, verbal abuse and rape at home.
In 2007 alone, 4,484 women called a helpline set up by INAMUJER (National
Institute of Women’s Affairs) to report abuse. Local organizations, however,
estimate that only 1 in 9 women report violence to the authorities.
Many of the women who talked to Amnesty International in Venezuela said that
lack of financial independence, information, insufficient shelters – only two
in a country of over 27 million inhabitants -- and a poorly resourced police
and judicial infrastructure, make it hard for them to feel safe.
“Thousands of women in Venezuela live in a constant state of fear of violence
from their partners, fear for their lives and the safety of their children.
When a safety net is not provided, many women feel that they have no choice but
to stay with their abuser or to be homeless and unable to support themselves or
their children,” said Guadalupe Marengo.
In March 2007, the government passed a law that defines violence against women
as a human rights violation and reaffirms the responsibility of the state and
its officials to eradicate it. The law replaced one passed in 1999 that,
although positive, failed to be fully implemented.
It sets out measures to prevent violence against women, to protect women at
risk and to punish those responsible. It also requires the authorities to
implement a far reaching programme to raise awareness and challenge public
attitudes which condone or conceal this under-reported crime.
“Venezuela’s government needs to step up to the challenge set by the 2007 law.”