This research examined the critical path followed by women from 10 Latin American countries who suffer family violence. It identified the personal and social processes women experience as a result of their help-seeking actions and the kinds of responses found at local services. The study used an action-oriented qualitative methodology with a standard research protocol that was translated and adapted for the various ethnic groups. The results provided community actors with an understanding of the barriers women face in overcoming the obstacles, humiliation, and inadequate responses they encounter along their critical paths.

For many countries, despite their adoption of quotas, women's political participation remains low. Costa Rica, however, presents a success story in terms of increasing women's descriptive representation and, as a country which has tried a variety of quota systems, it represents a unique case study. This article looks at the processes which have influenced the evolution of the Costa Rican experience, and the struggle to achieve effective quota law highlights the importance of clear, unambiguous legislation that leaves no loopholes for those resisting its implementation. However, there is also a cautionary note that although quotas can be effective in increasing numbers, the quest by women's organisations to seek transformation can be co-opted by others leading perhaps to undesired outcomes. The quota system can ensure a higher presence of women but it does not necessarily enhance democracy or social justice, or promote women's interests within the public agenda.

Los Límites de Las RefoRmas: vioLencia contRa Las mujeRes y poLíticas púbLicas en améRica Latina the Limits of RefoRm: vioLence against women and pubLic poLicy in Latin ameRicaMontserrat Sagot* ReSUMeN en este artículo se analizan las políticas públicas para prevenir y combatir la violencia contra las mujeres que se han desarrollado durante las últimas dos décadas en América Latina. Se analiza también el papel de movimiento feminista y sus aportes en la reconceptualización de la violencia contra las mujeres, así como su influencia en la aprobación de normas legales y políticas sobre la problemática. Finalmente, se discute sobre la efectividad de las normas y políticas existentes y sobre las relaciones problemáticas entre el feminismo y el estado en este terreno. This article analyses the public policy to prevent and confront violence against women, developed in Latin America during the last two decades. It also analyses the role of the feminist movement and its contributions to the re-conceptualization of violence against women, as well as its influence on the passing of legal norms and public policy on the subject. Finally, the article also discusses the effectiveness of those legal norms and policy and the problematic relations between the feminist movement and the State in this area.

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