Population size:
16,604,030[1]
Number of people experiencing domestic abuse each year:
Prevalence of domestic violence against women (lifetime) 18%. [2]
No research on male victims or other gender identities.
Cost of domestic abuse to the economy each year:
No research.
Estimated % change due to COVID-19:
800 complaints of psychological and physical violence against women were received by the Public Ministry in the three weeks of lockdown. Complaints include psychological physical and sexual violence. [3]
Current law and policy:
Guatemala commits to develop multisectoral strategies and local action plans to address violence against women and girls. The Government of Guatemala commits to make substantive efforts aimed at preventing and providing care in cases of violence against women, adolescents and children. The recently created Cabinet for Women headed by the Vice President of the country coordinates inter-institutional efforts for the development of Guatemalan women, including action plans to prevent violence against women and girls. The strategy comprises: the implementation of a protocol for the identification, care and referral of cases of violence against girls in the national education system; a process to file complaints and referral of pregnant girls under 14 years of age to provide comprehensive care for them and their children, sexual violence protocols to be implemented in national hospitals, including the creation of committees to report cases; and protocols to assist victims of trafficking.
The Government further pledges to expand access to comprehensive care for women, adolescents and children through a quality oversight system, and will continue to provide financial support to institutions that collaborate with the State in providing services for women, girls and children who are survivors of violence. The Government of Guatemala is committed to training staff working in basic services, to strengthen specialized criminal investigation and justice administration in femicide and other forms of violence against women to reduce impunity; and to define a system to collect, analyse and disseminate information at the national level. The Government will continue to support ongoing communication and awareness campaigns and workshops to facilitate behavioural change, and to promote gender equality in Guatemala.
Public spending - The Guatemalan state’s efforts to combat civilian insecurity in 2005 cost approximately 2.4 billion dollars, equivalent to 7.3 percent of gross domestic product (GDP). [4]
Frontline Services:
Women's Justice Initiative - https://womens-justice.org/ - info@womens-justice.org
Mujeres Por la Justicia, La Educación y El Reconocimiento (Women for Justice, Education and Awareness) (MuJER) - http://mujerguatemala.org/ - leerespoder@gmail.com ;