1 Apr 2000
CEPAL Review
Description
The present document was prepared by the ECLAC Women and Development Unit for the International Meeting on Gender Statistics and Indicators for Measuring the Incidence of and Trends in Violence against Women in Latin America and the Caribbean (La Paz, Bolivia, 21-23 November 2001). The document reflects the inputs which the participants provided for the working paper submitted by ECLAC at that event. It is a tool for measuring the incidence of violence against women in intimate relationships, as well as the main characteristics of the phenomenon. The first part describes how the problem of violence against women came to be part of national, regional and international public agendas. One of the problems detected in the enforcement of the relevant laws is the lack of sufficient and adequate follow-up mechanisms for monitoring the application of penalties. This document represents an attempt to meet that need by providing indicators that make it possible to carry out the consultation processes that result in the formulation of public policy. The second part presents a classification and non-exhaustive analysis of the surveys and administrative records used to measure violence against women in recent years. This part also highlights the challenges that should be analyzed and considered in adapting and improving such sources as statistically valid inputs for the construction of indicators. The third and final part presents a minimum set of indicators in the form of a proposal to be considered by the countries of the region. The proposal aims to strike a balance between what is ideal and what is possible by attempting to complement efforts already under way while incorporating characteristics, purposes and objectives that go beyond the bare minimum. The document concludes by suggesting institutional arrangements for ensuring that the implementation of this set of indicators is integrated into the process of institutionalizing public policies with a gender perspective.