In the 1980s, while Bolivia transitioned from authoritarian rule into a democracy, feminist and indigenous organizations administered the fight toward gender parity. Because of their efforts, the country has seen a steady incline in the advancement of women’s roles across all sectors of society. Bolivia’s current constitution declares: “The State is based on the values of unity, equality, inclusion, dignity, liberty, solidarity, reciprocity, respect, interdependence, harmony, transparency, equilibrium, equality of opportunity, social and gender equality in participation, common welfare, responsibility, social justice, distribution and redistribution of the social wealth and assets for well being.” The country’s body of law also mandates that there be equal representation of men and women on political party lists. Today, Bolivia’s Legislative Assembly is 53 percent female, which ranks second in the world as the most gender-equal government. The country has also seen great improvements in girls’ access to education and has closed its gender workforce gap. However, progress still remains as rates of illiteracy among women, gender-based political violence and maternal mortality are some of the highest in the world. Fortunately, indigenous women’s groups and other female-led grassroots organizations are continuing their fight by raising the visibility of human rights violations and demanding strong action from the government.
Soccer is the national sport in Bolivia, with basketball and volleyball gaining in popularity among women and girls. In 2019, the South American Football Confederation (CONMEBOL) implemented a policy requiring all men’s clubs wishing to participate in international tournaments to also have a women’s soccer team. This decision has resulted in a notable increase in soccer participation among women and girls in Bolivia. The Bolivian Basketball Federation sees great promise in the future of women’s basketball in the state. In 2016, the federation began the development of a Women’s Basketball League and continues to work towards the realization of this goal today.
Meet and support global leaders creating change in Bolivia:
Maira Coll
Carmen Pozo Rios (Piña)
How does Bolivia compare to other countries?
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Women in Leadership
PERCENTAGE OF WOMEN IN PARLIAMENT AS OF 2020
53%
PERCENTAGE OF WOMEN IN MINISTRY POSITIONS AS OF 2020
25%
Has a Woman Ever Been Head of State or Head of Government?
Lidia Gueiler Tejada, 1979-1980
Jeanine Añez, 2019 - 2020
HAS A WOMAN EVER BEEN SPORTS MINISTER?
Cielo Veizaga, 2020
Title IX Timeline
1825
Bolivia gained independence from Spanish rule on August 8th.
1938
Women gained the right to vote (full suffrage).
1979
Lidia Gueiler Tejada became the first female President of Bolivia.
1984
Nelly Chávez became the first woman to represent Bolivia in the Olympics.
1990
Bolivia ratified the Convention on All Forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW).
2000
Bolivia ratified the Optional Protocol to CEDAW.
Women in the olympics
participation through the years
-
0
-
0
-
0
-
0
-
2
-
7
-
8
-
8
-
2
Women in the Paralympics
participation through the years
-
0
-
0
-
0
-
0
-
0
-
0
-
0
Elite Sports Participation
First Year Women Participated In The Olympics
1984
Year Women’s Participation In Olympics Was Equal To Men’s
2016
First Time A Woman Won An Olympic Medal
The first woman could be you!
First Year Women Participated In The Paralympics
The first woman could be you!
Year Women’s Participation In Paralympics Was Equal To Men’s
N/A
First Time A Woman Won A Paralympic Medal
The first woman could be you!
FIFA
Fédération Internationale de Football Association
National Women’s Team?
Yes
First Year Of Play
1995
Pay Gap Comparison
Pay Unknown
Gender Initiatives
In 2019 the South American Football Confederation (CONMEBOL) implemented a policy requiring all men’s clubs wishing to participate in international tournaments to also have a women’s football team.
FIFA is committed to the growth and development of women’s football around the globe.
For More Information
FIBA
Fédération Internationale de Basketball
National Women’s Team?
Yes
First Year Of Play
1946
Pay Gap Comparison
Pay Unknown
Gender Initiatives
Despite the hurdles of creating and maintaining a women’s basketball league, the BFF is growing in number and popularity.
Increasing the participation of women in basketball at all levels was named as one of FIBA’s eight strategic objectives (2019- 2027) and one of FIBA’s three strategic priorities (2019-2023).
For More Information
The Bolivian Basketball Federation
FIBA Strategic Objectives
LOCAL
Sports
Initiatives
Community Organizations That Have Signed The Brighton + Helsinki Declaration
