Today, anyone who looks up in La Paz or El Alto will see a message written on some of the cable car cabins that pass over the cities: 800 10 2414, the number for Pro Mujer’s free and anonymous Mujer Segura hotline. And soon, those traveling through the bus terminal will see the same message.
Although simple, this message is critically needed. To stop gender-based violence (GBV) and raise awareness of the issue among men, women, and local institutions, it is crucial to talk about this issue in the media and public forums. According to the Special Prosecutor’s Office for Gender and Juvenile Crimes, in 2023 alone, Bolivia registered more than 42,000 cases of domestic violence as defined in Law 348 of 2013 to Guarantee Women a Life Free of Violence, as well as 81 femicides.
As part of our commitment to eradicating all violence against women, Pro Mujer has partnered with two key transportation companies in La Paz. The massive number of people who use these services daily and the companies’ commitment to gender equality make them the ideal partners for transmitting messages about preventing and addressing GBV, as well as the services that Pro Mujer offers for survivors of GBV and our other offerings.
Mi Teleférico
Formally signed in October 2023, this partnership focuses on providing guidance and counseling to break the cycle of GBV, providing free health check-ups, offering Mi Teleférico staff and users access to expert-led webinars, sharing information on Pro Mujer’s breast cancer services, and, of course, spreading the word about the Mujer Segura hotline.
“For Pro Mujer, which is committed to mainstreaming a gender approach across every one of our activities, this partnership is a great opportunity to offer alternatives and opportunities to the female staff of Mi Teleférico and the users of this service,” said Cecilia Campero, Pro Mujer’s representative in Bolivia.
Terminal de Buses
As part of the agreement signed by Pro Mujer in January 2024 with the company that manages the bus terminal, the two organizations will work together to develop campaigns that focus on the different areas of Pro Mujer’s holistic model: health, skilling, and financial inclusion.
Users and employees can access training activities, free breast cancer screenings, and free health chatbots. They will be invited to participate in entrepreneurship fairs and receive education and informational materials on preventing gender-based violence.
#MujerSegura
In July 2020, Pro Mujer launched the toll-free #MujerSegura hotline to provide guidance, support, and counseling for women experiencing violence. Since its launch, the Mujer Segura hotline has received more than 12,000 calls, and more than 3,000 additional cases have received in-person support.
To learn more about the program, or to access free support and counseling, visit www.mujersegura.org.bo
