Inauguration of Justice Center and Women’s Shelter in Santa Cruz

On June 6 USAID/Bolivia Acting Director Peter Natiello, Office of Democratic Development Director Karen Anderson and Program Manager Álvaro Gálvez, along with Minister of Justice Celima Torrico, participated in the inauguration of an Integrated Justice Center (IJC) in the municipality of Yapacaní and a battered women’s shelter (an annex to an existing IJC) in the Plan 3000 neighborhood of the city of Santa Cruz.  The IJC in Yapacaní will provide poor local residents with free access to formal and informal justice services.  The women’s shelter in Plan 3000 will serve as a temporary refuge where women and children affected by domestic violence will be provided with professional help for their medical, psychological and legal needs.  USAID support financed information technology equipment for the women’s shelter, along with the building construction and provision of technical services and consultants for both the IJC and shelter.