The city of Cochabamba, in Bolivia, will host the II Encuentro Latinoamericano de Mujeres (Latin American Women’s Meeting.), ‘ELLA 2015’. This event first took place in 2014 in Belo Horizonte, Brazil, and was attended by more than 300 participants from 15 countries  making it a historic first edition.

From the 7th to the 10th of May, women from the entire continent will gather at mARTadero to reflect on the role of Latin America women in facing the challenges of the twenty-first century. The agenda includes issues such as the concept and the role of feminism, health, racial struggles, sex and bodily pleasure, and the new forms of violence against women.

Hivos has partnered with civil society movements in Bolivia and Brasil that promote women’s empowerment, such as Fora do Eixo, Fundación Imagen, Oficina Jurídica para la Mujer, TelArtes, Cultura de Red and Universidad de las Culturas, to put together ELLA.

Looking to expand diversity and participation, ELLA has issued an open call to encourage Latin American social actors and activists, including those not connected to gender issues, to be part of the meeting in Cochabamba. Please review the two types of support (ES) you can apply for to attend the meeting. The deadline for applications is March 31st.

Hivos works with frontrunners of change and social justice to further women’s rights and lobby for new laws protecting women against discrimination and sexual and domestic violence.