On July 5 and 6, 2025, Ipas Bolivia held a workshop titled “A New and Urgent Approach: Sexual Violence and its Consequences” in the city of La Paz. The activity brought together community journalists from different parts of the country, with the objective of strengthening their capacities for ethical and gender-focused news coverage on the handling of news related to sexual violence and its consequences, under the cooperation framework of the project promoted by the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (SIDA) through the Swedish Embassy in Bolivia.
During the two intensive days, representatives of media outlets such as Radio ERBOL, Splendid, Kancha Parlaspa, Radio Líder, PIO XII, Ichilo, Andina and Méndez, together with the Ipas Bolivia team, participated in training, reflection and collaborative production. The workshop provided conceptual and journalistic tools, addressing national and international regulatory frameworks, care routes, ethics and responsible communication. In addition, a transformative experience was lived with the Values Clarification and Attitude Transformation (AVTA) module, facilitated by Ipas Bolivia, which allowed for the identification of myths, prejudices and personal positions regarding legal abortion and other forms of violence.
“I discovered how my journalistic decisions can reinforce stigmas or generate transformations. I learned that ethical journalism is also an act of justice. “said Andrés Zamora, journalist of Radio Splendid.
Among the most outstanding results is the elaboration of five communication products (radio spots and infographics) created by the participants, with messages focused on the prevention of sexual and gender-based violence.
“Considering that many times, in the Aymara Network, there is a conservative view, this helps me to break schemes. Here I realized the lack of knowledge that still exists on these issues. I took away a lot of information about norms, sexuality and key information. I want to thank Ipas for creating these spaces and ask for more workshops and courses, so that we can talk about these issues and also take them to rural areas, where it is important that everyone has access to this information. Graciela Dorado Alanoca, journalist of Red Aymara ERBOL, said.
Two representatives of RedActora, a journalism network in defense of sexual and reproductive rights consolidated on May 11 by Ipas Bolivia, actively participated in the workshop, sharing their knowledge and experience in the ethical treatment of sensitive issues. Their contribution was key to accompanying the participants in the training process, providing technical and conceptual guidance during the production of the communication materials developed during the workshop.
Next steps include the need to continue with ongoing training processes, especially in areas with limited institutional coverage, as well as post-workshop accompaniment to support the implementation of communication products. With this initiative, Ipas Bolivia reaffirms its commitment to transformative, ethical and rights-based communication that contributes to eradicating sexual violence and strengthening access to justice and health for all people.
