As countries around the world celebrated International Women's Day last week, the Bolivian government launched an equal rights and opportunities plan dubbed "Mujeres construyendo la Nueva Bolivia para vivir bien," which can be loosely translated as "women are building a new Bolivia with better lives for all." Not simply a development strategy, this plan exemplifies a significant, shared vision: namely the importance of recognizing women's contributions to the ongoing development of the country.
The plan is the culmination of a lengthy process of compromise between the Bolivian government and women's NGOs from all parts of Bolivia, including Católicas por el Derecho a Decidir in Bolivia, a partner organization of Catholics for Choice. All parties met with the common goal of creating a long term strategy aimed at tackling the problems that continue to plague Bolivia, especially those related to women.
Certainly one such problem is the prohibition of abortion. Currently, the Bolivian Penal Code permits the right to abortion in cases of rape, incest and when a woman's life or health is in danger. However, the law states that a judicial authorization must be obtained before a woman is allowed to have an abortion. As a result of long delays in the authorization process, women have been unable to access safe and legal abortions. Statistics speak of the "death of a life-giving body" - a euphemism describing the many women who die from pregnancy complications, birth and unsafe abortion each day. Until this statistical measure becomes obsolete, change will not have occurred.
As in many other countries with similarly strong Catholic roots, the hierarchy of the Catholic church plays a leading role in seeking to block advancements in women's rights, especially those pertaining to sexual and reproductive health. That notwithstanding, a 2003 survey conducted by Catholics for Choice and Católicas por el Derecho a Decidir in Bolivia shows that a majority of Bolivians support access to reproductive health services. The numbers speak for themselves: 66 percent of Bolivian Catholics support access to abortion services and 81 percent believe that one can use contraception and still be a good Catholic.
This initiative is a political gain but the plan will not propel change on its own. Change will emerge only when people claim greater responsibility and recognize what this process means for Bolivia. As evidenced by the numbers, Bolivian Catholics are ready for such change even if the church hierarchy is not. This is a crucial moment: an opportunity for Bolivia to establish new dialogues and emerge as a country in which women's rights are honored and respected.
Delegates from Bolivia will travel to the United Nations Commission on Population and Development, meeting at the end of March in New York City, where they plan to share their strategy. Catholics for Choice will also be present at that meeting, providing a useful counter to the church hierarchy's dismissal of reproductive rights. Consistent commitment to women's rights on a global scale will enable us to honor women all year round - not just on one single day or at one event.
