Woman's death by partner raises Bolivia's femicide toll to 43

The number of femicides in Bolivia has reached 43 this year following the death of a 26-year-old woman in La Paz, allegedly due to violence inflicted by her partner. The Prosecutor General's Office reported the grim statistic on Monday, covering the period from January 1 to June 22.

The most recent incident occurred in La Paz when the victim was severely beaten in her home on Friday by her 26-year-old partner. According to the case prosecutor, Elba Sanjinés, the man transported the victim to the Hospital de Clínicas in a critical condition before his arrest. The Prosecutor's Office stated that the young woman died on Sunday due to the severity of her injuries, particularly to her head, leading to the case being officially classified as femicide.

La Paz department has recorded 17 femicides so far this year, the highest in the country. Other regions with significant numbers include Santa Cruz with eight, Cochabamba with six, Oruro with five, Potosí, Chuquisaca, and Tarija with two each, and Beni with one. Bolivia's Law 348, enacted in 2013, mandates a 30-year prison sentence without parole for femicide, the maximum penalty under Bolivian law.

Feminist organizations have long criticized the law's incomplete implementation, citing issues such as insufficient budget and inadequate personnel to address these cases effectively. In 2024, a proposal by legislators from the ruling party to reform Law 348, deeming it 'anti-men,' was met with strong opposition from activists who warned of a disinformation campaign by conservative sectors against the legislation. Last year, Bolivia recorded 81 femicides and over 46,000 cases related to violence against women.

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Once the Prosecutor's Office became aware of the case, it immediately initiated investigations and is currently collecting evidence to ensure the alleged femicide is brought to justice in accordance with the law.