Ministry implements consular strengthening program to help women experiencing gender-based violence abroad

The Undersecretary of Foreign Affairs, Gloria de la Fuente, together with the Minister of Women and Gender Equality, Antonia Orellana, led the ceremony that culminates the implementation of a program that allowed the strengthening of consular attention to help women who are victims of gender-based violence abroad.

This initiative is part of the Equality Fund of the Ministry of Women and Gender Equality and consisted of a plan that involved 11 consulates in cities in North America, South America, Europe and Africa.

Courses and workshops were taught to the staff both abroad and in Chile, with a focus on gender and respect for human rights. Self-care mechanisms for teams assisting cases were also addressed, together with a specific protocol on how to deal with situations of gender-based violence.

“Our Ministry is committed to continue working to make consulates a safe place and a place of respect, especially for those who face situations of vulnerability outside our borders,” said the Undersecretary. 

“Thanks to this work, Chilean women abroad are no longer alone, we are with them. Now we have products that allow us to improve the attention in our 114 consulates, which means an important advance in our consular management”, she added.

For her part, Minister Antonia Orellana stated that “this project, financed by the Equality Fund, is a crucial step forward in the construction of a solid and permanent support network for women, especially those who are outside the country. Having an institutional framework that provides first reception, containment and support is fundamental to escape from contexts of violence and abuse. So we are taking an important step in favor of the autonomy and safety of Chilean women, regardless of their geographic location".

This initiative also includes the implementation of technological instruments: a website, a mobile app called 'Voy contigo', and a virtual assistant, available 24 hours a day, which will enable the identification and raising of alerts in cases of gender-based violence.

In addition, people who make use of these tools will be provided with guidance and contact information for local support networks such as shelters, and governmental and social services that provide care in the different countries.