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AWID - Association for Women's Rights in Development

http://www.awid.org/eng/Women-in-Action/Announcements2/RH-Reality-Check-A-New-Dawn-in-Bolivia-Constitution-Extends-New-Protections-for-Women

 

11.02.2009

 

BOLIVIA - NEW CONSTITUTION EXTENDS WOMEN'S RIGHTS

 

Teresa Lanza and Gladys Melo-Pinzon

Following a referendum on January 26, 2009, Bolivia has a new Constitution, with initial results suggesting that almost two-thirds of the turnout voted in favor.The news has delighted Bolivian pro-choice advocates, The good news of the Constitution referendum text follows an arduous battle to ensure that early promises concerning women's rights and reproductive rights made it into the Constitution's final draft.

There are many things about the result that make us feel proud and happy. The rights of all Bolivians have been extended and improved considerably, thanks to the work of groups of feminists, human rights advocates and the many social movements that are committed to this cause. The Bolivia Constitution now includes gender inclusive language, a significant victory for the feminist cause. In fact, 33 individual articles relate to the rights of women.

Throughout the Constitution, there are many references to values we cherish, including unity, equality, inclusion, dignity, liberty, solidarity, reciprocity, respect, complementarity, harmony, transparency, equilibrium, equal opportunities, and social and gender equity.

Some key issues that we lobbied on and that were included in the final Bolivia Constitution draft include:

  • A respect for and guarantees of freedom of religion and spiritual belief and an explicit separation of church and state
  • Guarantees for the sexual and reproductive rights of women and men
  • A ban on discriminating on the basis of sexual orientation
  • Guarantees for the protection of physical, psychological and sexual health
  • Protections for women against physical, sexual or psychological violence
  • A guarantee of equal pay for equal work between men and women
  • A recognition of the economic value of homemakers, as a source of wealth for the state
  • A guarantee that women - married and single - will have access to land, including the transfer of land to women

Many, many people helped us in this journey, in constructing sound and clear arguments that both moved the process forward in a direction we were happy with, as well as uniting the many different organizations that were involved in the process.

Of course, this is just the beginning - we have much work that lies ahead, especially including reforms to the abortion sections of the Criminal Code. But we are energized and ready for those challenges.



 





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