Population size:
7.1 million [1]
Number of people experiencing domestic abuse each year:
Over 13,000 reported cases of domestic violence in 2017—the highest rate on record [2]
Ever-partnered women aged 15-44 years experiencing once in a lifetime Physical and/or Sexual Intimate Partner Violence: 20.4 % Physical and/or Sexual Intimate Partner Violence in the last 12 months: 8% [3]
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:
No research.
Current law and policy:
Paraguay commits to boost resources for rural women and improve coordinated action to prevent violence against women and punish perpetrators. [4]
Speaking in 2015 the former President, Horacio Cartes made a commitment to strengthen the actions needed to speed up the advancement of real and effective equality between men and women in Paraguay through the national regulatory framework. This was followed up by the passing of the Law for Comprehensive Protection for Women against Any Kind of Violence in 2016 and the subsequent formation of a task force to ensure its implementation.[5] This law recognised femicide and obstetric violence as criminal offences, and also outlawed online abuse against women and girls. It also provides for comprehensive measures, such as free legal assistance, access to shelter and skills training for survivors. Furthermore, it called for a unified standardised system to collect data on gender-based violence. [6]