The United Nations (UN) Committee for the Elimination of Discrimination against Women urged Chile this Tuesday to intensify efforts to raise public opinion about the criminal nature of all forms of gender violence, in the face of worsening of this scourge in the country.
The committee published its conclusions after the eighth review of the situation in Chile regarding women’s human rights, in which it expressed its deep concern about widespread gender violence in the country, especially the high rates of sexual violence and femicides.
In the first half of 2024 alone, 84.83% of victims of sexual violence in Chile were women, while rape cases increased by 48% between 2018 and 2022, according to agency data.
Given this situation, the committee asked the Chilean Government to carry out campaigns in the media to raise awareness among the population about gender violence, question its social legitimation, stop stigmatizing the victims and guarantee them greater protection when it comes to report.
Warning
The committee also warned of an increase in violence against women through cyberbullying, harassment or the non-consensual sharing of intimate images, and called for more “explicit and appropriate” sanctions against perpetrators, as well as against platform providers who do not Report or remove harmful content.
It also called for greater awareness in education by removing gender stereotypes from textbooks and curricula so that they are replaced with content on women’s rights and gender equality.
On the other hand, the committee criticized the “low rates of investigation, prosecution and conviction” in response to allegations of rape and excessive use of force by the Chilean Carabineros and other security forces against women human rights defenders in the framework of the wave of protests that shook the country in 2019 to demand profound social changes.
Detonating
After these demonstrations, which often led to serious riots and caused more than 30 deaths and thousands of injuries, the UN and organizations such as Amnesty International (AI) and Human Rights Watch (HRW) accused the Carabineros of violating human rights and They opened dozens of legal cases.
In this regard, the committee called for investigating “without delay” all alleged human rights violations, prosecuting and appropriately punishing the perpetrators, including responsible Carabineros commanders and other members of the security forces, and providing adequate reparations to the victims. .
Geneva / EFE
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**Interview with Dr. Mariana Torres, Gender Rights Advocate and Member of the Chilean Women’s Coalition**
**Interviewer:** Good morning, Dr. Torres, and thank you for joining us today to discuss the recent findings from the UN Committee for the Elimination of Discrimination against Women regarding gender violence in Chile.
**Dr. Torres:** Good morning! Thank you for having me. It’s crucial to address these issues head-on.
**Interviewer:** The UN committee expressed deep concern over the increasing rates of gender violence in Chile, especially sexual violence and femicides. How alarming do you find these statistics?
**Dr. Torres:** The statistics are indeed alarming. The fact that over 84% of sexual violence victims are women speaks volumes about the systemic issues we are dealing with. A 48% increase in rape cases from 2018 to 2022 is a clear indication that our society still has a long way to go in confronting and combating gender violence.
**Interviewer:** The committee has called for more public awareness campaigns to challenge the social norms surrounding gender violence. In your opinion, what kind of approach should these campaigns take?
**Dr. Torres:** Effective campaigns should focus on education and awareness. They need to challenge the narratives that normalize gender violence and highlight the criminal nature of such acts. It’s essential to engage both men and women in this discourse, making it clear that gender violence is not just a women’s issue; it’s a societal one that demands everyone’s attention and action.
**Interviewer:** Stigmatization of victims is another critical issue mentioned by the committee. How can we work toward creating a more supportive environment for victims to come forward?
**Dr. Torres:** We need to foster an environment of empathy and understanding. This involves training for law enforcement and healthcare providers on how to support victims effectively. Media also plays a key role; they must refrain from sensationalizing cases and should prioritize victim stories that humanize rather than vilify them. A cultural shift in how we view and treat victims is paramount.
**Interviewer:** Lastly, what role can the government play in this fight against gender violence?
**Dr. Torres:** The government must commit to robust legislation and its enforcement, ensuring that laws against gender violence are not just on paper but also actively implemented. Additionally, funding for victim support services, education programs, and awareness campaigns is essential. Partnerships with NGOs and community organizations can amplify these efforts and reach broader audiences.
**Interviewer:** Thank you, Dr. Torres, for sharing your insights on this pressing issue.
**Dr. Torres:** Thank you for having me. It’s important we keep this conversation going.
