By Wendy Anders

Two pieces of good news for women were announced yesterday.

Women can now call in to speak with professional counsellors at a phone line set up by the Costa Rican National Women’s Institute (Inamu), reported Costa Rica’s daily tabloid, El Diario Extra.

Though further details were not available, the local phone line, 2527-1911, appears to be staffed during weekday office hours. Professionals in law and psychology are available to answer women’s questions free of charge.

“Improving accessibility for people was one of the main challenges we had at Inamu. With the improvements we can ensure comprehensive coverage as required under laws on access for people with disabilities,” said Alejandra Mora Mora, women’s minister, to El Diario Extra.

And in a move to further aid women experiencing violence, the judiciary press office reported that five new local committees for tending to victims of violence against women were created.

There are now 15 such groups operating in the country. The committees, made up of a local judge, the local prosecutor, and local police officers, share information on cases to more effectively monitor and provide attention to women in high-risk domestic violence situations.

Started in 2014, the committees have had success preventing deaths and injuries from violence against women, and in providing follow-up for more effective protection of victims. The inter-agnecy teams are part of a larger strategy to address and prevent violence against women, trafficking and femicide in Central America.

The five new teams in Alajuela, Corredores (southern CR), Cañas (Guanacaste), Pérez Zeledón (south central CR), and Juan Viñas in Turrialba round out the 10 other teams working in the towns of La Cruz, Upala, and Santa Cruz all in northern CR; Alajuelita and Desamparados in southern San José; downtown Puntarenas, downtown Limón, Turrialba (due east of San José), downtown Heredia, and Coto Brus in the far south, said the judiciary press office.