Do South American laws protect against digital gender-based violence? An analysis of ten countries in light of the challenge posed by the Inter‑American Model Law

Abstract

In response to the regional challenge posed by the Inter‑American Model Law to Prevent, Punish and Eradicate Digital Violence Against Women Based on Gender, published in December 2025 by the Follow‑Up Mechanism of the Belém do Pará Convention (MESECVI), this article analyzes how ten South American countries are positioned with respect to this new legislative and policy reference framework. Using a qualitative method, the comprehensive laws to prevent gender‑based violence of Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, Paraguay, Peru, Uruguay and Venezuela were examined in order to investigate which areas of protection they declare as priorities and whether they contain definitions and specific measures for digital gender‑based violence. As a result, the absence of definitions of digital violence is evident, as well as a lack of clarity, precision and unified criteria for its treatment.