'Political harassment is a serious problem', Bolivian senator says

In 2018, Bolivia was praised as one of the five nations with the highest female representation in its national Parliament. But the South American country hides a harsh reality beneath the surface. Despite having legislation that protects elected women from harassment and violence, such cases persist at alarming rates.

A recent study conducted in the Plurinational Legislative Assembly of Bolivia (ALP) reveals that seven out of 10 female assembly members have experienced some form of political harassment and violence. The issue also extends to the regional level, where 54% of women members in the Regional Legislative Assemblies reported having experienced the same situation.

Despite the risks, more and more women are raising their voices to denounce this problem. Senator Andrea Barrientos is one of them. Through her social channels, the 34-year-old senator has not hesitated to speak out against the sexism rooted in Bolivian society and its political corridors. 

Global South World spoke with her to learn more about the fight against this type of violence and the challenges she faces as a political leader.

“I have experienced harassment and even physical violence on three occasions,” Barrientos told GSW. “I'm not suggesting that this doesn't happen to men, but women endure it in various ways and more frequently.”

The Bolivian senator explains that nudity, sexual harassment, and threats against the families of women in politics are some of the harassment tactics she has seen used most frequently to silence female voices.

“I have even received fake photos of colleagues in compromising situations, presumably to blackmail them or tarnish their political and moral integrity," she said.

In the interview, Barrientos also discussed the case of Juana Quispe, a councilwoman from the municipality of Ancoraimes in Bolivia, which shocked the country in 2012. It is a harrowing example of political harassment that tragically escalated into a femicide case and had to wait 12 years before receiving justice.

"It is deeply disheartening that justice took 12 years to deliver a verdict against those responsible, but it finally did. The tireless efforts of civil society, alongside councilwomen and congresswomen, were decisive for justice to prevail," said the Bolivian senator.

Recently, Barrientos, along with other congresswomen and councilwomen associations, has spoken out against the pressures faced by two councilwomen to take a leave of absence. She explained that this case is just another example of the harassment women in politics face and the various forms it can take.

Andrea Barrientos believes that the situation has worsened in Bolivia, but highlights that other countries in the region have made significant progress. She names Brazil, Peru, Colombia, and Mexico as some of the nations where women's political leadership has seen improvements. 

Despite the efforts and determination of women from different areas, the Bolivian senator admits that the road to gender equality and a future free of violence will be long.

"In every corner of Latin America, political harassment is a serious problem that hinders our progress toward equal rights and prevents us from conquering positions of political power," Barrientos said, adding that substantial structural and social changes are urgently needed.