Stats.

Violence against women and girls continues unabated in every continent, country and culture. It takes a devastating toll on women’s lives, on their families, and on society as a whole. Most societies prohibit such violence — yet the reality is that too often, it is covered up or tacitly condoned.
UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-Moon, 8 March 2007[i]

IN BOLIVIA…
· An estimated 7 out of 10 women suffer from violence.
· In 2007, 32,814 complaints of domestic violence and/or family violence were filed in Bolivia.

AROUND THE WORLD…
· 85 to 95% of domestic violence victims are female.[iii]
· Based on data gathered by the General Secretariat of the United Nations on Violence against Minors, the study shows that 275 million minors are currently exposed to domestic violence.
· For women between the ages of 15 and 44, violence constitutes a major cause of death and disability.[iv]
· In a 1994 study conducted by the World Bank on ten risk factors that affect women, violence and rape were ranked higher than cancer, traffic accidents, war and malaria.[v]
· Based on several surveys from around the world, half of the women who die from homicides are killed by their current or former husbands or partners.
· Limited availability of services, stigma and fear prevent women from seeking assistance and redress. This has been confirmed by a study published by the WHO in 2005: on the basis of data collected from 24,000 women in 10 countries, between 55 percent and 95 percent of women who had been physically abused by their partners had never contacted NGOs, shelters or the police for help.[vi]
· According to the World Health Organization (WHO) in 48 studies conducted around the world, up to 69% of women stated that they had been physically abused by their partner at some point in their life.
· Over half of men who abuse their wives will also abuse their children.[vii]
· One out of every five women has to miss work as a consequence of domestic violence.[viii]
[i] http://www.unifem.org/gender_issues/violence_against_women/facts_figures.php
[ii] http://www.ine.gov.bo/indice/visualizador.aspx?ah=PC3090102.HTM
[iii] http://www.aidv-usa.com/Statistics.htm
[iv] 1994 World Bank Study.
[v] General Assembly. In-Depth Study on All Forms of Violence against Women: Report of the Secretary General, 2006. A/61/122/Add.1. 6 July 2006. 52.
[vi] García-Moreno et al. 2005. WHO Multi-country Study on Women’s Health and Domestic Violence Against Women. Initial results on prevalence, health outcomes and women’s responses, Geneva: WHO. 74.
[vii] http://www.catwinternational.org/factbook/LatinAmerica.php
[viii] http://www.catwinternational.org/factbook/LatinAmerica.php

Carnaval

This weekend Bolivia celebrates its version of carnaval.   Lets just say its a once in a lifetime experience that I embraced and have checked off my life list.  Oruro is where the main celebration takes place and everyone since the day I have arrived in Bolivia has told me that I had to go. Of course none of them wanted to accompany me to the great celebration, so I booked a day tour to insure a safer journey.

For historical details on Oruro's Carnaval see http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carnaval_de_Oruro . Basically its a endless parade of dancers that make there way to a church where they enter kneeling and pray to the virgin.  The costumes are elaborate and colorful, the dancing left more to be desired, but I guess if I were asked to dance for 5k I would also come up with simple steps.  The first few hours were great, but after 10 well, I was done. Plus half of the "fun" was an ongoing water fight between the bleacher sections. Lucky me to be sitting on the edge, so I was pelted with half full (aka hard) water balloons for ten hours.  I almost picked a fight with the supremely annoying Irish guy behind me,  but I kept peace.  There is nothing that gets under my skin more than foreigners who play the "foreigner card" and ignore local social norms, as in don't throw balloons while dancers pass, wait for the break.  I mean sure, I play that card, but usually it doesn't offend the majority (sneaking into five star hotels to use their pool) and it most defiantly has never caused someone to get hit by a water balloon.  

The trip came to an eye opening end. When we were dropped off in downtown La Paz, three blocks from my house, I witnessed two women being beaten by their spouses/boyfriends/men.  I have almost grown accustomed to seeing violence here, since almost daily I see someone loose their temper and hit something or yell at someone.  But this made me feel so helpless since there wasn't anything I could do but say a silent prayer and run up to my house.  To get involved would mean that I would likely get beaten, by the man or even the woman- since its "none of my business" and  calling the police would be equally as pointless.  The saying here "if he loves me he hits me" is a norm for the majority.  Seven out of ten women in Bolivia suffer from abuse.  Next month domestic violence is the topic we will be discussing in the churches we are working with, hoping to break the silence on this epidemic.  Hoping that churches would be a voice against violence and become safe havens for victims as well as help to abusers.  My heart breaks to think about the two women I saw a few nights ago, thinking how many nights they are beaten, yelled at or raped. 

My heart breaks at the problems I have seen and feel that there are so few answers.  Seeing so much evil- pure evil,  while a times debilitating, it has also renewed my hope and belief in The Good that exists. Complete Good that will ultimately overtake evil and daily restores the broken.  The idea of working for peace has been in my meditations lately. Peace is hard work and not just a simple wish. Work that can be heart breaking and devastating, but ultimately what else is there to stand up for if not for peace? Is not peace a product of love? If we simply just wish, we throw away the chances of true change, we throw away what True Love calls us to do- to act and work for peace, even with a silent prayer. 

a few links of interest

The following links will provide some insight to this beautiful and sometimes questionable land I now call home....

http://www.boston.com/bigpicture/2009/02/bolivia_and_its_new_constituti.html?s_campaign=8315

http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5hNEMhtxY8H4x4Mm_S1AqRDjn8lOgD96901280

Back in L.P.

I have officially been back a week and am also back to almost having a heart attack each time I come back to my house up 3 inclines. My lungs must have shrunk back to size while I was at sea level. 

Being back has reminded of my love/hate relationships with this city. Then again I think that is how most people feel most of the time no matter where they live.  I have been wondering what people think of La Paz when they only experience it for a day or even a week. Thankfully last night I received an answer when a visitor described the city as "having a constant frenetic energy, a chaos that works."  Then today a Bolivian described La Paz as a city where "everything and nothing happens." This is very true. From the outside, and even on the inside from an outsiders prospective, it feels like this place could explode at any moment. And many times it has.  But ask any local and they will repeatedly insist that all is well and normal and that nothing there is nothing to worry about. 

Since my arrival, I have seen more public urination and breast feeding here than in my 23 years combined.  I have seen houses built of steel and stone, and others made of cardboard.  Just like any other city, this is a place where worlds collide and contradictions are as far marked as black is to white.  Yet I still feel that its energy and spirit is unlike any other place I have ever lived.  I mean, who in their right mind chooses to build a city this high? And furthermore, who decides to continue to stay?  I am in awe of this city, I really am.  The way the chaos works and the way that it eventually seems normal.

La Paz, here's to second round and many more days of experience!