Eradicate violence against women: an urgent task in Latin America and the Caribbean, according to the IDB

A social epidemic that affects one in three women in the region

Violence against women affects one in three women in Latin America and the Caribbean, where this social epidemic carries an economic cost of between 1.6 percent and 6.4 percent of the gross domestic product of the countries of the region.

Therefore, on the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women, the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) reaffirms its commitment to continue working to eradicate this problem.

In addition, the IDB highlights as very positive signals the demands of civil society in defense of victims throughout the region and the growing commitment of their governments to combat this type of abuse.

In order to help Latin American and Caribbean countries achieve this goal, the IDB identifies, evaluates and finances effective programs against gender-based violence.

For example, the IDB has analyzed the impact of models such as Love, but the Good One (Amor, pero del bueno), a program that achieved a notable decrease in psychological abuse between young couples in Mexico City, and Hotline 123-Women (Línea 123-Mujer), a program that provides response services to victims in Medellin that has helped to reduce the number of incidents of violence.

The IDB also supports governments to develop broader policies against gender-based violence. For example, in Argentina it is collaborating in the creation of a National Plan of Action for the Prevention, Response and Eradication of Violence against Women, which includes the scaling up of promising initiatives.

"Violence against women is simply unacceptable," said IDB President Luis Alberto Moreno. "That is why, on this date, we must reaffirm our personal and professional commitment to eradicate this social ill. Change begins with each one of us.”