Peru Transitional Government Opened 5 New Centers for Women Victims of Violence

Peru's Minister of Women and Vulnerable Populations, Edith Pariona, inaugurated a new Emergency Center for Women and Families (CEMF) in Cerro Colorado, located in the Arequipa region. With this inauguration, the transitional government successfully completed its goal of putting a total of five new centers into operation to protect women victims of violence and their family members. These centers aim to fill a crucial gap in the processes of preventing violence, and treating and protecting victims. This step by the government increased the total number of centers in the country to 438, further expanding the national protection network. Thus, the scope of legal, psychological, and social support services for women subjected to violence has significantly broadened.

The five centers activated during Minister Pariona's term were distributed across the regions of Ica, Lambayeque, Huánuco, La Libertad, and Arequipa. This strategic positioning ensured that specialized services reached those in need across different geographical regions of the country. Through the opened centers, a holistic approach is adopted for violence victims, offering multifaceted services such as legal counseling, psychological support, and social assistance. The newly opened Cerro Colorado center is planned to provide uninterrupted service 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Additionally, a multidisciplinary team comprising thirteen expert professionals in fields such as law, psychology, social work, and coordination will operate at this center. Thus, the Arequipa region gained its 25th emergency center affiliated with MIMP.

Speaking at the inauguration ceremony, Minister Pariona addressed all women and their families in the Arequipa province, delivering an emotional and meaningful message. She emphasized that this door will always be open to them whenever their physical integrity or the safety of a loved one is in danger. The Minister stated that the center is not just a physical structure, but also a safe haven and protection hub for victims. Authorities stated that women subjected to violence will be protected by a resolute team here, and their well-being will be prioritized. These statements reveal the government's political determination to protect women's rights and combat violence.

As part of the Minister's working program in Arequipa, other important activities were carried out that were not limited to just center inaugurations. An awareness campaign titled "Let Us Find You: No More Missing" was organized at the Mariano Melgar Grand School Unit, bringing together students and teachers. This initiative highlighted the strong link between missing persons and human trafficking, femicides, and other types of violence. Furthermore, it aimed to raise awareness among the younger generation regarding the prevention of missing cases and early intervention. During the event, students were given detailed information about MIMP's line 100, which provides free counseling and support services 24 hours a day.

Data from the National Registry of Missing Persons (RENIDEP) of the Ministry of the Interior reveals the severity of missing person cases in the country. In the first five months of 2026, 9,238 missing person reports were filed in the country, with 522 of these belonging solely to the Arequipa region. In the context of these striking statistics, Minister Pariona emphasized that the idea of citizens having to wait twenty-four hours when a person goes missing is a myth. She reminded the public that a missing person report must be filed with the Peru National Police immediately so that the national search protocol can be activated instantly. Authorities warned the public that timely reporting is the most critical step in preventing missing cases from turning into tragic outcomes.