To all of our friends,

We are pleased to let you know that yesterday the country approved the new State Political Constitution with a majority of 61%. Even though not all the results have been verified, the project has been a success.

There are many points in the new Constitution to make us feel proud. We are aware that the road was long and full of obstacles but finally our rights have been expanded in the new text thanks to the work done by the feminist, human rights and other social movements committed to change in our country.

A clear sign of the successful work done by the feminist community is the gender-sensitive language used throughout the text.

The points that we proposed and which have been included in the new State Political Constitution of Bolivia can be summed up as follows:

1. Respects and guarantees freedom of religion and spiritual beliefs and the separation of State from church.
2. Guarantees men and women’s right to exercise their sexual and reproductive rights.
3. Guarantees sexual non-discrimination.
4. Guarantees the right to life and physical, psychological and sexual integrity.
5. Guarantees women’s right to not suffer physical, sexual or emotional abuse.
6. Guarantees that men and women will be given equal pay for equal work.
7. Recognises the economic value of women’s work in the home as a source of wealth by the State.
8. Grants women, married or unmarried, the right to land and land ownership.
9. Includes the values of unity, equality, inclusion, dignity, liberty, solidarity, reciprocity, respect, complementarity, harmony, transparency, equilibrium, equal opportunities, social and gender equity.

Women’s rights are mainstreamed throughout the text and are dealt with specifically in around 33 articles.

We should point out that, as in other countries, the Catholic and political right has campaigned furiously arguing that this new SPC would prohibit Christian religions and supplant them with the worshipping of Mother Earth as the only “religion”, which would legalise abortion, gay marriage and other ludicrous concepts such as lynching and promiscuity.

I would like to take this chance to thank all of our co-workers who have been a constant source of encouragement and support at the different international seminars we’ve held. Special thanks go to Marco Huaco (Peru), Fr. Julián Cruzalta (Mexico), Silvia Juliá (CDD/Córdoba), Yuri Puello (CDD/Brazil), Josefina Aguilar (Ecuador); Roberto Blancarte (Mexico); Roberto Arriada-Lorea (Brazil), Jon O'Brien (CFC) and everyone else who has supported us along the way. I also want to take the time to say thank you to all of our Bolivian co-workers who have lent us their specialist knowledge to build fundamental, solid arguments and discourses for us to use alongside other organisations that joined us in our struggle.

This is just the beginning of what looks to be a huge endeavour to ensure that this constitution is implemented but at least we’ve made inroads that were well worth the effort!

All the best from Bolivia and a warm hug and a big smile for all of you!

Tere Lanza
Executive Director
Católicas por el Derecho a Decidir/Bolivia