Noticias

Throughout 2025, Save the Children Bolivia consolidated its role as a strategic actor in the promotion and protection of children’s and adolescents’ rights. This was achieved by strengthening policy advocacy, programmatic action, and coordination with the State and civil society, within a renewed political and institutional context that emerged in the final quarter of the year.

One of the most significant achievements was the adoption of the law prohibiting marriage and civil unions involving persons under the age of 18, making Bolivia the 14th country in Latin America to criminalize child marriage. The law amends the 2014 Family Code by removing the exception that allowed marriage of 16- and 17-year-olds with parental consent and establishes criminal sanctions for public officials who register such unions. Save the Children played a key role through research, dialogue with political actors, and support to girls and adolescents in raising their voices, helping to highlight the fact that 22% of girls in Bolivia are married before the age of 18. This reform protects more than four million girls, boys, and adolescents—particularly those from Indigenous and rural communities—from sexual violence, early pregnancy, and school dropout.

In the area of digital protection, another major milestone was the approval of the Law for the Protection of the Sexual Integrity of Children and Adolescents in Digital Environments, the first child-focused legislation adopted in the country in the past five years. The law criminalizes offences such as grooming, sextortion, and online sexual contact, closing critical legal gaps. Save the Children contributed technical evidence through the Global Kids Online study and actively participated in the law’s technical committee, influencing key provisions and advocating for the creation of a specialized sub-unit within the Public Prosecutor’s Office to oversee its implementation.

In the field of legislation and public policy, Save the Children provided technical support to legislative and regulatory development, particularly at the subnational level. Key achievements include the review and approval of the departmental Inter-Institutional Response Pathway (RAI) in Santa Cruz to ensure protection and comprehensive care for adolescent survivors of violence; the regulation of the Violence Prevention Law in Montero; and the formulation of policy instruments such as the Municipal Early Childhood Plan of Sacaba and the Departmental Violence Prevention Strategy for Santa Cruz.

In 2025, coordination with national authorities under the new government was also strengthened, with structured working agendas established with key ministries and the Legislative Assembly. A notable milestone was Save the Children’s inclusion in the advisory team for the Economic and Social Development Plan (PDES) 2026–2030, as well as the proposal—together with UNICEF—of a Parliamentary Forum to be held in the first quarter of the new year to help build a legislative agenda in favor of children and adolescents.

On the programmatic side, the POWER 4AY project strengthened young people’s capacities in employment, entrepreneurship, and climate action. It equipped 15 Alternative Education Centers and promoted youth platforms that influence adolescent pregnancy prevention and environmental stewardship, with participation extending to international spaces such as COP30. The municipal employment offices established through the project are increasingly consolidating as sustainable mechanisms to promote decent work for young people.

The project implemented with Medwaves enabled the development of four regional circular economy ecosystems, bringing together actors from the public and private sectors, academia, and civil society.

Finally, the Generación Esperanza campaign promoted youth participation in the update of the NDC 3.0 and in climate diplomacy initiatives, reaffirming Save the Children’s commitment to sustainable, inclusive, and youth-led development.