Violence against women is widespread in El Salvador, Guatemala, and Honduras. Together with local organizations, Solidar Suisse is committed to protecting and preventing gender-based violence—especially among population groups and in regions where protection mechanisms are particularly weak, such as Indigenous communities in Guatemala or Afro-descendant communities in Honduras.
Among the Highest Violence Rates Worldwide
In El Salvador, Guatemala, and Honduras, gender-based violence and discrimination are major problems. The region is among those with the highest femicide rates worldwide. In Guatemala alone, more than 22,000 cases of gender-based violence were recorded in 2022. The number of teenage pregnancies is also alarmingly high: between 2018 and 2024, 14,696 girls under the age of 14 were registered due to pregnancy – many as a result of sexual violence.
There are insufficient protection mechanisms and prevention services in these countries, which means that affected women are often left without support and unable to escape the cycle of violence. At the same time, women, LGBTQIA+ people, and Indigenous communities experience systematic discrimination.
Solidar Suisse works in El Salvador, Guatemala, and Honduras with experienced organizations and government actors to counter violence against women and teenage pregnancies through preventive measures and to build and strengthen effective protection mechanisms.
Local partner organizations provide direct support to survivors of violence, organize educational programs, create safe spaces, and work with local authorities to improve services. Solidar Suisse coordinates the regional program, provides technical support to partners, and promotes knowledge exchange across borders. This creates strong networks that are locally rooted and regionally connected.
«It is difficult to assert yourself in a male-dominated community council, but I have achieved a great deal that I previously would not have dared to fight for.»
Breaking the Cycle of Violence
The partner organizations we support are often the only source of help available to affected women and young people. Through the project, hundreds of survivors of violence received qualified support to break free from the cycle of violence and process their experiences. Strengthened partner organizations documented cases of violence in areas where data is lacking and used this evidence for targeted advocacy with authorities to improve protection mechanisms. Campaigns against violence toward women and children on television, social media, and in public spaces reached 10,000 people. Through our work, thousands of young people gained access to sexuality education and were able to effectively protect themselves against early pregnancies.
Donation
With your donation you are supporting the fight for women’s rights and against violence in El Salvador.
