WOMANKIND has
four projects underway in Peru, working with five local partners: DEMUS,
FEPROMU, Movimiento El Pozo, Calandria, and Aurora Vivar. We are supporting
excluded and marginalised women to realise their human rights —
and participate fully at all levels of decision-making.
The critical issues our work focus on are:
- Tackling violence against women
- Improving women's general and sexual health
- Making women's voices heard in the political arena
- Making people aware of women's rights
- Increasing equal opportunities for women workers
Making
a difference
WOMANKIND's programme is making excellent progress. Here are just a few
examples of the impact of our work in Peru:
- Regional governments are far more committed to preventing the spread of HIV and AIDS. For example, in Ica, a regional by-law on HIV and AIDS prevention was introduced in June 2009, following lobbying by our local partner, FEPROMU.
- Previously excluded women are now becoming leaders and influential lobbyists. For example, the Ica Watchdog Committee put forward women's demands at the Regional Congress of the Iqueña Woman — and was successful in incorporating women's issues in the Ica participative budget from March 2009 on (so that more government spending goes on what women want and need). Also, women's needs have been incorporated in three Regional Plans for Equal Opportunities in Ica, San Martin and La Libertad as a result of our partners' lobbying.
- More women are taking part in local and regional politics. For example, 11 women leaders in San Martin ran for election in local and regional elections, with one being elected to the San Martin provincial council.
- Central government is showing the political will to eradicate violence against women in Peru. For example, the New National Plan on Violence against Women 2009-2015 incorporates our partner, DEMUS's recommendations on improving prevention policies; improving access to, and the quality of specialised health services for women victims of violence, including a new community mental health programme.
- Women survivors of violence who were previously silent are now seeking justice — and are challenging the 'normalisation' of gender violence in their communities. For example, Peru's Prosecution Department has presented two test cases of sexual violence in Manta and Vilca to the Criminal Court.
- Young women are more informed about their sexual and reproductive rights, and many are acting to raise awareness of these issues more widely. For example, in Ica, 40 youth promoters ran a HIV-awareness campaign
- Women working in prostitution are better able to access their basic human rights, systematically denied them by the State and their own communities. For example, in Lima, prostitutes now have proper ID, and can use a support helpline, get counselling, and join self-help groups.
- The Peruvian public has a better understanding of women's rights issues, and more people are pressurising regional government to include pro-gender policies. For example Social Watchdog Committees in Ica and La Libertad have written 'shadow reports' on how local government is performing on equal opportunities and equality issues. These reports have been widely covered in the local media, reaching a large audience.
