Domestic violence continues to be a serious silent problem which is affecting many families in Honduras. In a recent report presented by the Observatory of Violence of the National Autonomous University, Honduras is the leading country with the highest number of femicide (the murder of women) in Latin America. In the first three months of 2025 over 55 women have died a violent death from domestic violence[1]. The local emergency hotline (911) registered 90,000 domestic violence complaints during 2024, but now over 20,000 complaints were received in the first three months of 2025 [2] which signifies a serious increase in DV cases.
In 1999, PAG started the DEBORAH Program in response to the high rates of domestic violence that permeated PAG’s area of influence in Comayagua County. Today, PAG's Human Rights Program covers 33 municipalities of Comayagua, Santa Bárbara, and Southern Cortés counties to increase awareness of community leaders, local women's groups, and the local governments to prevent the violation of human rights to respond and resolve cases of domestic violence, including help victims with family rights training, counseling, and legal orientation.
References:
[1] Honduras, con 59 mujeres asesinadas, encabeza la cifra de feminicidios en América Latina.
[2] Solo 2 de cada 10 denuncias por violencia doméstica se judicializan: OV-UNAH
An information booth set up in the town of Siguatepeque where PAG's legal and psychosocial staff provide counseling and legal guidance services to women in the topic of domestic violence.
PAG also wrote a manual, "What to Do When..." for victims of domestic violence which provides guidance for women who have been abused.
In coordination with the local Attorney General, information is provided on the steps to follow in a trial to resolve domestic violence cases.
Pamphlets with information on what domestic violence is, self-esteem, and how to report a case of domestic violence are also provided to the public to increase awareness of this serious problem.
With the participation of justice operators like the national police, students, and local women's group, walks are carried out to support women who have been victims of violence, to end violence against women, and to protest the murder of women.
PAG trains the coordinators of municipal offices for women since many entered their job without knowledge of the law including how to report or submit a violation case.
Technical assistance is also provided to the coordinators of 33 municipal office of women during monthly visits to support them in the proper referral of cases to the operators of justice.
Local women's groups are trained in self-esteem, toxic relationships, different forms of violence and how to protect themselves.
Training is also provided to justice operators, like the national police, in topics related to women's rights.
The director of a local not for profit women’s organization (Asociación Calidad de Vida – Quality Life Association), recently expressed that 60% of domestic violence cases end up in femicide and that more educational and counseling campaigns to prevent violence against women are needed to raise awareness and reduce gender-based violence
Domestic violence in Honduras is deeply rooted in cultural and social factors that seriously affects many women who do not report it due to fear, economic dependance, or distrust in the judicial system. PAG's DEBORAH Program implements legal actions to create more awareness, energetically protesting female abuse and the murder of women. More training is needed to strengthen local capacities of municipal authorities, members of civil society and local women's organizations. PAG seriously needs additional financial support to strengthen the protection and response to victims. Please help us to reduce domestic abuse of children and women.
Thank you very much for supporting this important work!
Blessings,
Chester Thomas
Emeritus Executive Director
