2024 Award "Best Practice in Citizen Participation"
18th Edition
Cotopaxi Province: Defensoras Comunitarias (Women Community Defenders)
The Defensoras Comunitarias of Cotopaxi, Ecuador, are leading a comprehensive and participatory initiative to address the complex issue of violence against women in the province. Their approach, rooted in principles of gender and citizen participation, stands out for its specific attention to the socio-economic inequalities that particularly affect rural communities. Through a meticulous process involving sensitisation, diagnosis and planning, these community leaders identify the most pressing challenges faced by women in their different contexts and prioritise solutions tailored to each situation.
The communication strategy implemented by the Defensoras Comunitarias plays a crucial role in unifying efforts and mobilising the active participation of citizens in the prevention and eradication of gender-based violence. The initiative is characterised by its inclusive approach, which recognises and values the diversity of women in society, including indigenous populations, migrants, youth, adults, girls and people with special needs, among other groups.
One of the most outstanding innovations of this practice is the active and direct participation of the beneficiary women in the formulation and implementation of actions, which guarantees greater relevance and effectiveness in the proposed solutions. In addition, training and empowerment is provided to indigenous women and communities, strengthening their leadership and their capacity to defend their rights and promote positive changes in their environments.
The most notable impacts of this initiative include the implementation of protocols for the effective application of the Law for the Prevention and Eradication of Violence, as well as the introduction of a manual for the good treatment of victims to improve the quality of care offered. As a result, there has been a significant strengthening of women's self-esteem and capacity to exercise their rights, as well as the establishment of community protection networks that contribute in a tangible way to the prevention of and attention to gender-based violence in the province of Cotopaxi.
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