Jezebel: Venezuela

Venezuela's Domestic Violence Levels Almost As Bad As Russia's

Jessica — Mon, 21 Jul 2008 15:00:00 EDT

Remember last week's story about Russia's alarming level of domestic abuse? Well Venezuela's situation is not much better, despite a promise from President Hugo Chavez in March, 2007 to ameliorate the incidence of such crimes. A woman dies from domestic violence once an hour in Russia, while every 15 minutes in Venezuela, a woman is attacked. According to a report released last week by Amnesty International, the March 2007 law "defines violence against women as a human rights violation and reaffirms the responsibility of the state and its officials to eradicate it," which one ups Russia, where violence against women is still not a crime. However, Chavez vowed to open more women's shelters, and has not made good on his promise. There are currently only 2 operating shelters in the entirety of Venezuela, a country of approximately 27 million.

Carlos Lusverti, Amnesty's general coordinator in Venezuela, told the AP that shelters are pivotal in helping battered women, because "One of the first things you can do is separate them from the place where they are the victim of aggression." Despite Chavez's sketchy track record (in general) he has come through with at least a few of his promises from that 2007 address. According to According to a Venezuelan news blog called Venezuela Analysis, earlier this month, "The Chief Justice of the Supreme Court, Luisa Estela Morales, had created a new tribunal which would focus exclusively on violence against women and will have the capacity to try 5,000 cases per year." But, with 90% of domestic violence cases still unreported, Venezuela has an incredibly long way to go.

Venezuela Abuse Efforts 'At Risk' [BBC]
Amnesty International: Venezuela’s Record Mixed on Eliminating Violence Against Women [Venezuela Analysis]
Amnesty: Venezuela Neglecting Battered Women [AP]
Venezuela; New Law For Women 'Useless Unless Fully Implemented', Said Amnesty In New Report [Amnesty International]

Earlier: Every Hour, One Russian Woman Dies At The Hands Of A Male Family Member

America has proved once again that its citizens ...

Maria — Mon, 14 Jul 2008 09:45:00 EDT

America has proved once again that its citizens cannot sashay: At yesterday's Miss Universe 2008 pageant, Miss USA, Crystle Stewart, became the second Miss USA contestant in as many years to take a tumble during the eveningwear competition. Stewart, 26, is a motivational speaker from Texas who is currently writing a book and plans to open a character-development school for young children. The pageant's top title went to Miss Venezuela, Dayana Mendoza, who says she is going to use the experience of a recent kidnapping to promote world peace. [CBS News]

Strippers Lose Jobs To The Internet • The Simpsons Are Back on Venezuelan TV

maria — Mon, 28 Apr 2008 17:30:00 EDT

Print journalists aren't the only ones losing jobs, strippers feel the burden of the digital age. • Iranian says Barbies are "destructive" and must be stopped. • Incarcerated 400-pound man loses 100 pounds, sues county for underfeeding. • Six conservative women talk about dating whiny liberal men. • Two teenagers are jailed for life for killing a goth woman. • Mexicans try to quell the anti-emo riots by promoting diversity among teens. • Lourdes basically has the coolest mom hand-me-downs to pick from. • National Lampoon launches website to rate prostitutes. • Scientists just realize that periods are awesome, can repair hearts. • American Family Association attack soap on lackluster gay kiss. • An ironically long article on shorthand text speak, lol grwn ups r so lam3! • The Simpsons are back in Venezuela! • Baseball star Roger Clemens had a relationship with Mindy McCready when she was 15 years old (he was 28 and married). • Easy mistake to make: Woman attacks boyfriend, thinking he is a porn actor. • "Chinese eatery specializes in penis." That is all you need to know.