Actúa: Bolivian campaign against violence against women

The Actúa campaign is a feminist movement led by young people in Bolivia who champion women’s rights and advocate for the end of Violence Against Women (VAW). Actúaaims to build healthier relationships free from gender-based violence and to break with the indifference toward partner violence that is often masked and naturalized as “love.” The project was started in 2019 and will run until 2024 as part of the Enough campaign.

The young people behind the project are leading a violence prevention campaign through social media and are advocating the government in seven different municipalities. The young people behind the Actúa campaign, between 15 and 28 years old, have presented project proposals for the municipal councillors related to women’s rights, leadership, VAW prevention and unpaid caregiving as future projects for the municipalities to invest in.

The Actúa campaign is a good example of how the systemic causes behind gender discrimination and gender injustice can be challenged and overcome. When violence against women is excused and accepted by society as normal, we neglect the vital human rights of girls and women to be treated with respect and dignity. Campaigns like Actúa helps people in society learn about beliefs and social norms that lead to gender inequality. The campaign challenges these discriminatory and harmful practices and educates people in gender justice, creating a future where women and girls can flourish and grow. Feminist movements like Actúa, especially when they are spearheaded by young people, pose a powerful challenge to the harmful gender norms that pervade education through curricula content and educational practices and disadvantage girllearners.

Oxfam is supporting the Actúa campaign financially and with technical assistance. We are also supporting local women’s organizations who are leading groups of young people, so young people can participate with a leading role in campaign activities. Oxfam is also assisting in creating a link between the Actúa campaign and the Basta (Enough) regional campaign, with spaces were Bolivian young activists can share their experiences with other young people in the Latin American and Caribbean (LAC) region.