Bolivians rally against violence to women

By : Reuters

Published On: 2013-02-14

55 Views

00:51

(ROUGH CUT ONLY - NO REPORTER NARRATION)

A group of women demonstrating against violence against women clashed with police Wednesday (February 13) as they made their way to the presidential palace in La Paz, Bolivia.

The demonstration, led in part by female government ministers, human rights activists and female journalists, started outside the wake of 36-year-old Hanali Huaycho who was killed early Tuesday (February 12) morning when she was stabbed at least 15 times.

Her husband, police officer Jorge Clavijo Ovando, who fled the scene, is believed to be responsible for the journalist's death.

As the group approached the presidential palace to call on the government to move an anti-violence bill forward, they were intercepted by police. Police fired pepper spray at some of the women in attempts to block them from advancing on the plaza to the government house.

The government of President Evo Morales announced on Wednesday that it supports the quick passage of the law saying it could be approved within 72 hours.

The law would also stipulate between four and eight years for men who physically attack women.