The Committee that monitors the implementation of the international treaty on women’s rights, the Convention on the Elimination of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW), has called on the Bolivian Government to both address older women’s poverty and ensure that they have the right identity documentation so that they can access the services that are theirs by right.

Last month the Bolivian Government sat before the Committee and reported on its efforts to protect women’s rights through implementation of the treaty. Bolivia ratified CEDAW in 1990 and, since CEDAW is part of international law, is legally bound to ensure that its legislation, policies and practice are in line with the treaty.

Excluded from democratic processes

Many older women in Bolivia – particularly poor, indigenous women living in rural areas – are denied access to their rights because they do not have identity documentation which proves their eligibility for entitlements such as healthcare and social security. Lack of such documents also excludes them from taking part in democratic processes, including voting and being elected to public office.

The Committee – made up of independent experts on women’s rights – asked the head of the Government delegation, the Minster of Justice, why older women do not have the right documentation. It also recommended that the Government establish concrete goals and timetables for ensuring the registration of women – in particular older women, women with disabilities and indigenous women living in rural areas.

Government urged to address poverty

The Committee also urged the Government to alleviate older women’s poverty. It called on the Government to address the structural nature of poverty experienced by older and other marginalised women, and to adopt measures to ensure their equal access to land, housing, healthcare and social services.
 
Older women and men in Bolivia, South America’s poorest country, are disproportionately poor. More than 63% of older people live in poverty compared to 58.6% of the general population. [1]  

Poverty in Bolivia is both an urban and a rural phenomenon.  However, the rural populations face severe marginalisation and poor access to services, with 80% of the population unable to meet their basic needs. [2] 

Rural populations are disproportionately made up of older people, particularly older women. In many rural areas there is no electricity supply, piped water supply, sanitation or sewage system. This has a significant impact on older women in terms of the burden of fetching water, hygiene and related illnesses.

[1] Bolivia 2001 Poverty Map. Unsatisfied Basic Needs. Synthesis. La Paz, April 2002.

[2] Bolivia: Características socioeconómicos de la población Adulta Mayor. Encuesta de Hogares MECOVI 2001, HelpAge International Latin America Regional Development Centre and Bolivian National Institute of Statistics, La Paz, 2002. 

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