Bolivia enacts law to combat domestic violence

Bolivia has enacted a new law designed to combat domestic violence and encourage victims to stand up and speak out their sufferings.

The law is particularly aimed at reducing domestic violence against women, who are often reluctant to speak out, Xinhua cited Bolivian News Agency as quoting Bolivian President Evo Morales Tuesday.

If they remain silent, they are accessories to the violence, he added.

In addition, more funds will be allocated to shelters for women, according to the new law.

Morales also pointed out that the law alone cannot reduce violence against women, and education and greater awareness of the problem are also needed.

Nearly 600 women were killed in Bolivia from 2009 to 2014, and in most cases there were no convictions, according to media reports.