IDeM Project
Equality and Rights for Women in Latin America
The context
In a continent marked by contrasts and disparities like Latin America, the project “IDeM – Equality and Rights for Women in Latin America” aims to address gender inequality and promote women’s rights in four specific countries: Bolivia, Colombia, Uruguay, and Guatemala.
In these nations, women continue to experience violence, discrimination, and limited access to social and political opportunities. Through IDeM, we send 20 European volunteers to work with local communities, civil society organizations, and institutions, providing direct support and awareness-raising actions aimed at fostering women’s self-awareness. The project lasts 24 months and takes place in both urban and rural areas of the four countries involved.
With IDeM, we aim not only to respond to the issue in the short term, but above all to lay the groundwork for long-lasting cultural and social change, promoting equality and respect for human rights throughout the region.
The project
The project addresses gender inequality and violence against women in specific territories such as La Paz in Bolivia, Cali in Colombia, Montevideo in Uruguay, and Guatemala City in Guatemala. The contexts in which it operates therefore take on significant geographical dimensions and present different forms of injustice. In Bolivia, many women have experienced domestic violence at least once in their lives, and there is a severe lack of education, support, and protection for women from Indigenous and marginalized communities. In Colombia, due to the armed conflict, women have been particularly vulnerable to sexual violence, forced recruitment, and other serious human rights violations. In Guatemala, according to the World Health Organization, the maternal mortality rate is 95 deaths per 100,000 live births—one of the highest in Latin America. The main causes include limited access to adequate medical services. In Uruguay, considered one of the most progressive countries in the region, wage inequalities between men and women persist, along with a low representation of women in leadership positions. All these aspects highlight how crucial and necessary the project is.
There is a strong, shared commitment to reducing gender inequality and improving the protection of women’s rights through concrete and collaborative actions. The overall goal of the project is clear: to promote gender equality and improve the living conditions of women in the vulnerable contexts mentioned above. The expected outcomes include a reduction in gender-based violence, increased participation of women in public and political life, and improved access to legal and psychological services.
TheThe objective
Our approach
The project is defined by a multifaceted approach—both in terms of the actions implemented and the number of stakeholders involved—to address the issue in all its complexity.
Education, Training, and Empowerment
Education is a key pillar, through the creation of empowerment courses for women and youth, including modules on women’s leadership, household resource management, and political participation. Within this space, a key figure emerges: Community Promoters—women trained to become leaders within their communities, capable of guiding other women in recognizing and addressing cases of gender-based violence. These promoters become a fundamental part of the project and an ongoing vehicle for support and awareness-raising. A total of 600 women have been identified across the four countries, with the expectation that each of them will reach at least 100 more within their communities, creating a widespread and robust support network. These figures are and will remain essential multipliers, ensuring continuity and consistency for the project’s long-term success and helping to foster lasting cultural change.
Legal and Psychological Assistance
Since gender-based violence cannot be tackled solely at the community level, legal and psychological support is also necessary. IDeM aims to establish help desks in particularly vulnerable neighborhoods, where women can seek free counseling and assistance in dealing with situations of abuse. Around 5,000 women are expected to access these services, reducing economic and social barriers.
Public Awareness
Raising public awareness is essential to changing cultural perceptions of gender equality and the roles of individuals in society. Through media campaigns and live events, the project seeks to promote behavioral and attitudinal change toward women, aiming to reach at least 100,000 citizens. Communication tools and social media will play a crucial role here. A significant impact is expected not only on the women directly involved, but also on their families and communities, with an estimated 20% reduction in cases of violence and an overall improvement in quality of life.
Our Partner
ASPEm is the lead organization of the project and coordinates the activities of IDeM, working closely with other partners to ensure the achievement of its objectives.
ALBOAN is a Spanish NGO with extensive experience in promoting social justice and human rights. In the project, it contributes its expertise in training and supporting civil society organizations, particularly in the areas of awareness-raising and advocacy for women’s rights.
MPDL is an organization based in Spain that coordinates activities in Colombia and Guatemala, providing technical and organizational support for field operations and volunteer training.
Local Partners:
The network of local organizations includes:
- Centro de Promoción de la Mujer Gregoria Apaza, a host organization in Bolivia with a long-standing history of working for women’s empowerment. In the project, it provides direct support to local women through training programs and legal assistance.
- ASPEm Bolivia coordinates field activities in Bolivia, offering logistical and organizational support for women’s empowerment initiatives and awareness-raising on gender-based violence.
- MPDL Guatemala manages the project’s actions in Guatemala, focusing on women’s training and the implementation of legal and psychological support programs.
- ASEC-IGER, a host organization in Guatemala, works to improve education and access to women’s rights. It is responsible for support and training activities in the Guatemalan context, contributing to strengthening the role of women in society.
- MPDL Colombia oversees activities in Colombia, focusing on the protection of women’s rights and the promotion of social inclusion through workshops and awareness campaigns.
- El Abrojo, a host organization in Uruguay, is known for its initiatives in education and social promotion. In the project, it coordinates awareness-raising and support activities for women, with a focus on social inclusion and gender equality.
Funding
The project is funded by the European program European Solidarity Corps – Humanitarian Aid.
