On February 25, in La Paz, Ipas Bolivia, with the support of the Canadian Embassy, held the Meeting for the Exchange of Best Practices against Sexual and Gender-Based Violence, bringing together universities and law students to present results and strengthen access to justice for women, girls and adolescents.
Representatives from the Universidad Nacional del Oriente (Yacuiba), the Universidad Mayor de San Andrés and the Universidad Mayor de San Simón participated, along with Laurie Rogers, head of Cooperation of the Canadian Embassy, and Malena Morales, director of Ipas Bolivia, who highlighted the articulation between academic training and work in the territory.
As part of the results, free mobile legal clinics were implemented in Yacuiba, El Alto, Sacaba and Quillacollo. The initiative provided assistance to 356 people, documented 83 cases of gender-based violence and registered 273 cases in a second phase, prioritizing women, girls and adolescents, with referrals to the Municipal Integral Legal Services (SLIM), the Child and Adolescent Ombudsman’s Office (DNA), the Public Prosecutor’s Office and health services.
“Since I started participating in the legal clinics, I have been able to put into practice everything we learn in the classroom, which often remains in theory and may seem abstract. Here we manage to apply it and synthesize it in real cases.”
The meeting also included the participation of more than 80 students in legal essay contests with a gender focus and the development of a course on Human Rights and DSDR, which certified 108 academic hours and had 109 participants.
“It was a very enriching experience to learn today from the law students who participated in the program supported by Ipas Bolivia and Canada. I am convinced that they are fundamental agents of change, not only in their professional practice, but also in their environment, with their friends and networks.
