Gender-Based Violence Country Profile EL SALVADOR Contents INTRODUCTION 3 PREVALENCE OF GENDER-BASED VIOLENCE: PRE- AND POST-COVID 4 POLICY AND LEGAL FRAMEWORK 7 GBV RESPONSE MECHANISMS AND SERVICES 9 APPENDIX 1 – UN WOMEN: MEASURES AGAINST VIOLENCE AGAINST 11 WOMEN (EL SALVADOR) GLOSSARY 12 REFERENCES 13 World Bank GBV Country Profile: EL SALVADOR Page 3 INTRODUCTION El Salvador has a long history of political and social El Salvador has made progress in recent years in challenges, including a 12-year civil war that ended in addressing some of its social and economic challenges. 1992. The country has struggled with high levels of For instance, the country has implemented a number crime, poverty, and inequality, which have hindered of social programs aimed at reducing poverty and its economic and social development. According to the inequality, such as the Conditional Cash Transfer World Bank, El Salvador is classified as a lower-middle- Programs.4 income country, with a Gross Domestic Product (GDP) per capita of USD 28.74 in 2021.1 El Salvador has seen a decrease in intentional female homicides to 6.7 per 100,000 by 2019.5 However, The service sector is an important component violence against women persists, with at least 21 out in El Salvador’s economy. Since the early 1990s, of every 100 women aged 15 years and over having the services sector in El Salvador has represented suffered some form of violence in their lifetime, a significant part of the country’s economy.2 The including sexual assault, intimate partner violence, or agricultural sector is also an important contributor to abuse by family members.6 7 Fear of reprisal from gang the economy, with coffee, sugar, and cotton being major members dissuades victims, their family members, and exports. However, the country has been struggling witnesses from coming forward.8 Additionally, early with high levels of debt, and the COVID-19 pandemic pregnancy and child marriage are significant factors has further impacted its economy, resulting in a that can contribute to school dropouts as young girls contraction of 7.9% in 2020.3 are expected to take on domestic responsibilities and 1 World Bank. (2022). El Salvador. https://data.worldbank.org/country/el-salvador 2 El Salvador | History, Flag, Map, Population, Capital, Religion, & Facts. (2023, March 27). Encyclopedia Britannica. https://www.britannica.com/place/El-Salva- dor/Economy 3 Ibid 4 UN WOMEN. (2020). Cash Transfers and Gender Equality: Improving its effectiveness in response to the COVID-19. https://lac.unwomen.org/sites/default/ files/Field%20Office%20Americas/Documentos/Publicaciones/2020/05/Brief%20Transferencias%20Monetarias%20UPDATE/TRANSFERENCIAS%20IN- GLES%20%201comprimido.pdf 5 World Bank. (2015). Intention homicides, female (per 100,000 female). https://data.worldbank.org/indicator/VC.IHR.PSRC.FE.P5?most_recent_value_desc=- true 6 The United Nations Population Fund. (2022). Dos de cada tres mujeres sufren violencia sexual en El Salvador: ENCUESTA NACIONAL DE VIOLENCIA SEXUAL CONTRA LAS MUJERES 2019. Observatorio De Igualdad De Género De América Latina Y El Caribe. https://oig.cepal.org/sites/default/files/sv-violencia-se- xual-unfpa.pdf 7 Ibid 8 Nugent, C. (2019, May 14). Violence Against Women in El Salvador Is Driving Them to Suicide — Or to the U.S. Border. https://time.com/5582894/gender-vio- lence-women-el-salvador/ World Bank GBV Country Profile: EL SALVADOR Page 4 may not be allowed to continue their education.9 10 resources, social tolerance, and the capacity of state Challenges remain in addressing GBV, such as limited institutions and civil society organizations.11 PREVALENCE OF GENDER-BASED VIOLENCE: PRE- AND POST-COVID UN Women Prevalence Data on Different Forms of 0.727, ranking 59th out of 146 countries, a considerable Violence against Women12: difference from 2020 in which it ranked 43rd. — Lifetime Physical and/or Sexual Intimate Partner El Salvador’s intentional female homicides has Violence: 14.3 % decreased to 6.7 per 100,000 by 2019.13 A great — Physical and/or Sexual Intimate Partner Violence improvement considering that, by 2018, one woman in the last 12 months: 5.9 % was the victim of a femicide every 24 hours in the country.14 Of the total number of crimes committed — Lifetime Non-Partner Sexual Violence: Official during 2020 against women’s sexual freedom, 93.8% National Statistics Not Available corresponds to the crimes of rape, sexual assault, — Child Marriage: 25.5 % statutory rape, sexual harassment and other sexual aggressions; of these five types of crimes, the most El Salvador has a Gender Inequality Index value of reported is rape with 49.9%, followed by sexual assault 0,376, ranking 88 th out of 170 countries in 2021. As with 19.9%.15 Moreover, the COVID-19 pandemic has for the Gender Gap Report, El Salvador has a score of seen an increase in reported violence just in the year 9 United Nations. (n.d.). Specific country data. Human Development Reports. https://hdr.undp.org/data-center/specific-country-data 10 World Development Indicators. DataBank. (n.d.). https://databank.worldbank.org/source/world-development-indicators 11 Ibid 12 UN Women Global Database on Violence Against Women. (n.d.). El Salvador. https://evaw-global-database.unwomen.org/en/countries/americas/el-salva- dor?# 13 World Bank. (2015). Intention homicides, female (per 100,000 female). https://data.worldbank.org/indicator/VC.IHR.PSRC.FE.P5?most_recent_value_desc=- true 14 UN News. (2018, April 17). 67% of women have suffered some type of violence in El Salvador. https://news.un.org/es/story/2018/04/1431372 15 Organización de Mujeres Salvadoreñas por la Paz. (n.d.). Observatorio de violencia contra las mujeres. Observatorio De Violencia Contra Las Mujeres, Organiza- ción De Mujeres Salvadoreñas Por La Paz. https://observatoriodeviolenciaormusa.org/ World Bank GBV Country Profile: EL SALVADOR Page 5 2020 alone there were 131 reported homicides against Violence against women and girls in El Salvador women, 73 of them reported as femicides; as for the end exists alongside high levels of social violence and of the year 2021 there were 132 femicides reported16. the presence of gang groups and organized crime. A higher level of brutality of crimes against women is At least 21 out of every 100 women aged 15 years seen as a result of this intersection of gender-based and over have suffered some form of violence in their and gang-related violence. In 2020, there were 20 lifetime, including sexual assault, intimate partner murders for every 100,000 inhabitants in El Salvador. violence, or abuse by family members, according to This extensive violence and brutality in the country a 2018 national survey. Throughout their lifetime 17 makes violence against women even more invisible,20 women are at risk of various forms of violence in and fear of reprisal from gang members dissuades many different environments; violence is continuous victims, their family members, and witnesses from throughout their existence and is deeply rooted in coming forward. gender discrimination, social norms, and harmful stereotypes. Despite this high level of violence, only 16 There is a particularly high volume of GBV cases in out of every 100 women aged 15 years or older who the country’s three largest cities (San Salvador, Santa had experienced private sexual violence in the last Ana and San Miguel) and in some of the municipalities 12 months filed a complaint with state authorities; of the San Salvador metropolitan area, characterized Approximately only 2 out of every 100 women aged by their high population density. According to data 15 years or older who had experienced public sexual from the Office of the Attorney General of the Republic, violence in the past 12 months filed a complaint with GBV cases tend to be concentrated in 21 of 241 state authorities. When asked what was the reason 18 municipalities.21 for not filing a complaint, women said they fear repercussions for speaking out, others say they aren’t Regarding girls and adolescents, El Salvador able to access public services to report, or simply don’t adolescent girls ages 15-19 fertility rate is 56.8%. consider violent treatment unusual. 19 Moreover, the Child marriage rate of girls is 16 % (ages 15-19 years old). Early pregnancy and child marriage 16 Ibid 17 The United Nations Population Fund. (2022). Dos de cada tres mujeres sufren violencia sexual en El Salvador: ENCUESTA NACIONAL DE VIOLENCIA SEXUAL CONTRA LAS MUJERES 2019. Observatorio De Igualdad De Género De América Latina Y El Caribe. https://oig.cepal.org/sites/default/files/sv-violen- cia-sexual-unfpa.pdf 18 ibid 19 Ibid 20 Nugent, C. (2019, May 14). Violence Against Women in El Salvador Is Driving Them to Suicide — Or to the U.S. Border. https://time.com/5582894/gen- der-violence-women-el-salvador/ 21 Spotlight Initiative. (2021). Country Programme Document: El Salvador. World Bank GBV Country Profile: EL SALVADOR Page 6 are two significant factors that can contribute to 2020 also indicates increased levels of gender-based school dropouts as young girls are expected to take violence in El Salvador.26 Finally, The Attorney General’s on domestic responsibilities and may not be allowed Office reported 132 femicides in 2021; according to this to continue their education; this seems reflected in the registry, the main victims are young women as 62% of female population of El Salvador with at least some the crimes were committed against the 18 to 30 and secondary education which is 42,7% compared to male 31 to 40 age groups. This registry (132) includes two 51,4%.22 23 girls under 12 and 8 and adolescents between 13 and 17 years of age. Sixty-seven percent of the crimes were While El Salvador has progressed in its response to concentrated in five departments: San Salvador, La GBV, challenges remain related to laws and policies, Libertad, San Miguel, Sonsonate and Santa Ana.27 the capacity of state institutions and civil society organizations, the provision of essential services and program implementation, dissemination of decision- making information, social tolerance, criminal investigations and prosecutions, and limited resources for tackling violence, among others.24 Impact of COVID-19: The data shows substantial increases in reports of gender-based violence in El Salvador since the COVID-19 pandemic. For example, nearly 200 complaints of violence against women were reported by the Organization of Salvadoran Women for Peace from March 17 to May 22, 2020, a 70% increase compared to 2019.25 Evidence from InfoSegura (which gathers data on citizen security in Central American countries) from 22 United Nations. (n.d.). Specific country data. Human Development Reports. https://hdr.undp.org/data-center/specific-country-data 23 World Development Indicators. DataBank. (n.d.). https://databank.worldbank.org/source/world-development-indicators 24 Ibid 25 IRC. (2020, June 9). IRC data shows an increase in reports of gender-based violence across Latin America. https://reliefweb.int/report/el-salvador/irc-da- ta-shows-increase-reports-gender-based-violence-across-latin-america 26 InfoSegura. (2020, Sept. 24). #SegurasWomen – Regional Campaign for the prevention of violence against women. https://infosegura.org/2020/09/24/muje- resseguras-campana-regional-de-prevencion-de-violencia-contra-las-mujeres/ 27 Organización de Mujeres Salvadoreñas por la Paz. (n.d.). Observatorio de violencia contra las mujeres. Observatorio De Violencia Contra Las Mujeres, Organiza- ción De Mujeres Salvadoreñas Por La Paz. https://observatoriodeviolenciaormusa.org/ World Bank GBV Country Profile: EL SALVADOR Page 7 POLICY AND LEGAL FRAMEWORK Gender equality in the legal framework: With regards code’s definition of rape may apply to spousal rape; to overall gender equality in the legal framework, d) abortion is illegal under all circumstances in El according to the World Bank’s 2021 “Women, Business Salvador, even when a woman’s life is at risk; e) with and the Law” study, El Salvador scores 88.8 out of regards to civil liberties and political voice, women and 100 (over 8 indicators). The country does well when it men have the same legal rights to vote and stand for comes to constraints on freedom of movement, laws election in El Salvador. Although women continue to affecting women’s decisions to work, constraints on be underrepresented politically, the number of female women’s starting and running a business, and gender members in the legislature has slowly increased over differences in property and inheritance. However, El time. In February 2020, a new regulation provided Salvador could consider reforms to improve legal for the creation of Institutional Gender Units in equality for women when it comes to laws affecting public institutions to promote, advise, monitor, and women’s pay, constraints related to marriage, laws coordinate the implementation of the principle of affecting women’s work after having children, and laws equality, equity, and non-discrimination, as well as to affecting the size of a woman’s pension.28 ensure compliance with the applicable regulations.30 The following data points illustrate various other International treaties on GBV: El Salvador is a member gender aspects in El Salvador’s legal framework:29 of several international treaties which guarantee a) the Family Code of El Salvador establishes the equality, non-discrimination and freedom from minimum legal age for marriage without parental violence for women and girls, including the Convention consent at 18 for both women and men. In the case on the Elimination of all Forms of Discrimination of pregnancy, a minor can marry before the age of against Women (CEDAW), the Beijing Declaration and 18 with parental consent. The prevalence of child Platform for Action, the Inter-American Convention marriage remains high with the most recent survey on the Prevention, Punishment, and Eradication of data indicating that 25.4% of women between 20 Violence against Women, “Convention of Belem Do and 24 were married before the age of 18; b) the Para,” and the Convention on the Rights of the Child Civil Code establishes that either spouse can initiate (CRC). divorce; c) the law criminalizes rape, and the criminal 28 World Bank (2021). Women, Business and the Law 2021: El Salvador. https://wbl.worldbank.org/content/dam/documents/wbl/2021/snapshots/El-salvador. pdf 29 OECD Social Institutions and Gender Index. (2014). El Salvador. https://www.genderindex.org/country/el-salvador-2014-results/ 30 Gender Equality Observatory for Latin America and the Caribbean. (n.d.). https://oig.cepal.org/en/countries/salvador World Bank GBV Country Profile: EL SALVADOR Page 8 National response to GBV: In line with these Despite these advancements, there are still agreements, El Salvador has developed its own national limitations such as the lack of harmonization of regulations, public policies, and coordination systems specialized legislation on violence against women and to guarantee the rights of women and girls. In 1996, girls with other frameworks such as the Penal Code, El Salvador passed domestic violence legislation that Criminal Procedure, and Family Code. Furthermore, covered all members of the family, including women, there are some gaps in the alignment of the children, and seniors, and defined domestic violence Salvadoran legal framework with international human as including “patrimonial” (i.e., lack of access to family rights standards, especially in terms of sexual and resources, assets and entitlements), psychological, reproductive rights, financial independence of women, physical, and sexual violence. In 2009, the Legislative 31 and access to justice.32 Assembly passed the Act on the Comprehensive Protection of Children and Adolescents (LEPINA); El Salvador is the only country in the world with a in 2010, it passed a specific law to combat violence law against “femicide suicide” — the crime of driving against women, the Special and Comprehensive Law a woman or girl to suicide by abusing them. The law, for a Life Free of Violence for Women (LEIV); and in enacted in 2012 as part of broader legislation seeking to 2011, it passed the Equality, Equity, and Eradication curb violence against women, is a striking recognition of Discrimination against Women Act. In same by the government of the psychological damage year, the legislative triad formed by the Women’s suffered by victims and the need to hold perpetrators Parliamentary Group, the Commission for Women and accountable. Gender Equality, and the Gender Unit in the Legislative Assembly was institutionalized. This group currently has a National Policy for Women’s Access to a Life Free of Violence (with a corresponding Action Plan for 2016- 2021) and a National Policy for the Integral Protection of Children and Adolescents of El Salvador (PNPNA), among others. 31 ibid 32 Spotlight Initiative. (2021). Country Programme Document: El Salvador. World Bank GBV Country Profile: EL SALVADOR Page 9 GBV RESPONSE MECHANISMS AND SERVICES The following services are available for survivors of — Legal advice: The Salvadorean Institute for violence in El Salvador:33 Women’s Development (ISDEMU) and the Office of the Attorney General of the Republic established in — Women´s Unit (Attorney General´s Office): The 2008 provide both free counseling and solicitation Women’s Unit provides comprehensive support services, respectively. to women victims of crime, including legal aid and attending to the physical and emotional health of — Specialized shelter: The shelter was organized victims by providing psychological and medical by ISDEMU in 2008 for survivors of domestic assistance and social support. violence, sexual assault, child abuse, and human trafficking. It provides continuous attention by — Campaign “Help is for All”: The campaign was multidisciplinary personnel, has national scope, launched in 2013 by the Directorate for Victim and a capacity of 60 beds. Support of the Ministry of Justice and Public Security and targeted those who have been The following measures were implemented during subjected to violence of various kinds – domestic the COVID-19 response: or sexual violence, threats, trafficking-in-persons or extortion. An anonymous, free, confidential — Expansion of an interactive platform “CuentaNos” emergency helpline (123) was set up that can refer providing critical information on services. The callers to other agencies. International Rescue Committee (IRC) operates a multi-platform information hub “CuentaNos” with — The 126 Helpline: The helpline began operating in two-way messaging, where users in El Salvador August 2012 and provides free guidance to women (as well as Honduras and Guatemala) can seek experiencing violence. There are also various free information and service providers for essential service numbers of the Family Friendly Telephone services such as health and education. The IRC (TAF) for each region. expanded the functionality of this existing web- 33 UN Women Global Database on Violence Against Women. (n.d.). El Salvador. https://evaw-global-database.unwomen.org/en/countries/americas/el-salva- dor?# World Bank GBV Country Profile: EL SALVADOR Page 10 based resource to address increases in intimate and psychologists, to strengthen services and partner violence (IPV) and other needs related to support the mental health of IPV survivors who COVID-19. The platform includes a database of IPV have suffered violence during the COVID-19 protection service providers and allows users to lockdowns.35 contact IRC moderators via WhatsApp for support concerning IPV and other issues. CuentaNos — A program created to provide access to data as of May 2020 reveals drastic increases in information and resources (including cash searches and requests for help due to GBV since transfers and basic supplies) to women and girls the onset of the pandemic.34 at risk of or experiencing gender-based violence, implemented by the IRC’s El Salvador team. — The establishment of an emergency psychological support center, staffed by medical professional Examples of Notable Interventions to Address GBV Ciudad Mujer: Translated as “Women City,” this initiative was created in 2011 and offers aid to victims of violence against women and provides access to women’s healthcare services, financial advice, and career training. There are six Ciudad Mujer centers located throughout the country, offering services from 15 Salvadoran government agencies in one location. Services include job training and financial loans (offering a chance for economic independence); healthcare services including reproductive health care, neonatal care, and breast cancer prevention; and forensic laboratories and legal aid for victims of sexual assault. The centers were initially implemented thanks to a USD $20M loan from the IDB, and a 2016 impact evaluation found positive impacts on the use of essential services by women between the ages of 18 and 60 in the area of influence of the three centers under study.36 In June 2019, Ciudad Mujer became part of the new Ministry of Local Development. 34 IRC. (2020, June 9). IRC data shows an increase in reports of gender-based violence across Latin America. https://reliefweb.int/report/el-salvador/irc-da- ta-shows-increase-reports-gender-based-violence-across-latin-america 35 Andrews, S. & Klugman, J. (2021). Responding to rising intimate partner violence amid COVID-19: A rapid global review. Georgetown Institute for Women, Pea- ce and Security (GIWPS). https://giwps.georgetown.edu/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/Responding-to-Rising-Intimate-Partner-Violence-Amid-COVID-19.pdf 36 Bustelo, M., Marínex, S., Millard, M.P., & Silva, J.R. (2016). Evaluación de Impacto del Proyecto Ciudad Mujer en El Salvador. IDB. https://publications.iadb.org/ publications/spanish/document/Evaluaci%C3%B3n-de-impacto-del-Proyecto-Ciudad-Mujer-en-El-Salvador.pdf World Bank GBV Country Profile: EL SALVADOR Page 11 APPENDIX 1 – UN WOMEN: MEASURES AGAINST VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN (EL SALVADOR)37 https://evaw-global-database.unwomen.org/en/countries/americas/el-salvador 37 UN Women Global Database on Violence Against Women. (n.d.). El Salvador. https://evaw-global-database.unwomen.org/en/countries/americas/el-salva- dor?# World Bank GBV Country Profile: EL SALVADOR Page 12 GLOSSARY Gender Roles that are determined socially, behaviours, activities, and attributes that a society considers appropriate for men and women. These roles are contextual and influenced by a society’s culture and traditions, as well as by prevailing religious beliefs. Gender-Based Any act of violence that results in, or the nature of which causes, physical, sexual, or Violence (GBV) psychological harm or suffering to someone because of his or her sex. This including threats through similar acts, coercion, or arbitrary deprivation of liberty, whether in public or private life (UN, 1993). Sex Refers to the biological and physiological characteristics which differentiate men and women. Sexual Exploitation Any real or attempted abuse of a position of vulnerability, power differential, or relationship of confidence for a sexual purpose, including, but not limited to, taking financial, social, or political advantage of another through sexual means. Sexual Abuse Real or threatened physical intrusion of a sexual nature, whether it be by force or under unequal or coercive conditions. Sexual Harassment Unwelcomed sexual advances, demand for sexual favors, or any other verbal or physical behavior of a sexual nature. In the workplace, submission to these advances or behaviors may made either implicitly or explicitly a condition of continued employment, promotion, or other decisions affecting a person’s employment. World Bank GBV Country Profile: EL SALVADOR Page 13 REFERENCES — Andrews, S. & Klugman, J. (2021). Responding to rising intimate partner violence amid COVID-19: A rapid global review. Georgetown Institute for Women, Peace and Security (GIWPS). https://giwps.georgetown.edu/wp-content/ uploads/2021/03/Responding-to-Rising-Intimate-Partner-Violence-Amid-COVID-19.pdf — Bustelo, M., Marínex, S., Millard, M.P., & Silva, J.R. (2016). Evaluación de Impacto del Proyecto Ciudad Mujer en El Salvador. IDB. https://publications.iadb.org/publications/spanish/document/Evaluaci%C3%B3n-de-impac- to-del-Proyecto-Ciudad-Mujer-en-El-Salvador.pdf — Gender Equality Observatory for Latin America and the Caribbean. (n.d.) https://oig.cepal.org/en/countries/sal- vador — Gender Statistics Observatory. National system of data statistics and information on violence against women, El Salvador. http://aplicaciones.digestyc.gob.sv/observatorio.genero/informe_violencia/index.aspx — InfoSegura. (2020, Sept. 24). #SegurasWomen – Regional Campaign for the prevention of violence against women. https://infosegura.org/2020/09/24/mujeresseguras-campana-regional-de-prevencion-de-violencia-con- tra-las-mujeres/ — IRC. (2020, June 9). IRC data shows an increase in reports of gender-based violence across Latin America. ht- tps://reliefweb.int/report/el-salvador/irc-data-shows-increase-reports-gender-based-violence-across-latin-ameri- ca — Nugent, C. (2019, May 14). Violence Against Women in El Salvador Is Driving Them to Suicide — Or to the U.S. Border. https://time.com/5582894/gender-violence-women-el-salvador/ — OECD Social Institutions and Gender Index. (2014). El Salvador. https://www.genderindex.org/country/el-salva- dor-2014-results/ — Organización de Mujeres Salvadoreñas por la Paz. (n.d.). Observatorio de violencia contra las mujeres. Observa- torio De Violencia Contra Las Mujeres, Organización De Mujeres Salvadoreñas Por La Paz. https://observatoriode- violenciaormusa.org/ World Bank GBV Country Profile: EL SALVADOR Page 14 — Organización Panamericana de la Salud. (2022, August 31). Informe anual 2021. El Salvador: Respuesta a la COVID-19 y preparación para el futuro. https://iris.paho.org/handle/10665.2/56336 — Spotlight Initiative. (2020). Country Programme Document: El Salvador. — The United Nations Population Fund. (2022). Dos de cada tres mujeres sufren violencia sexual en El Salvador: ENCUESTA NACIONAL DE VIOLENCIA SEXUAL CONTRA LAS MUJERES 2019. Observatorio De Igualdad De Géne- ro De América Latina Y El Caribe. https://oig.cepal.org/sites/default/files/sv-violencia-sexual-unfpa.pdf — UN News. (2018, April 17). 67% of women have suffered some type of violence in El Salvador. https://news.un.org/ es/story/2018/04/1431372. — UN Women Global Database on Violence Against Women. (n.d.). El Salvador. https://evaw-global-database. unwomen.org/en/countries/americas/el-salvador?# — United Nations. (n.d.). Specific country data | Human Development Reports. https://hdr.undp.org/data-center/ specific-country-data — World Bank (2021). Women, Business and the Law 2021: El Salvador. https://wbl.worldbank.org/content/dam/ documents/wbl/2021/snapshots/El-salvador.pdf — World Bank. (2015). Intention homicides, female (per 100,000 female). https://data.worldbank.org/indicator/ VC.IHR.PSRC.FE.P5?most_recent_value_desc=true — World Development Indicators | DataBank. (n.d.). https://databank.worldbank.org/source/world-development-in- dicators Social Sustainability and Inclusion Global Practice, Latin America and the Caribbean Region Published: June 2023