OFFICE OF THE WOMEN'S ADVOCATE.


LEGAL AUTHORITY

Act No. 20 of April 11, 2001, as amended, known as the Office of the Women's Advocate Act, creates the Office as a judicial entity independent, separate from any other agency or public entity. It also creates the position of the Women's Advocate with investigative, prosecuting and quasi judicial powers to implant public policy.

MISSION

Encourage the full development of women, promoting equality and fairness. Eradicate all instances of discrimination and violence. Promote and enforce public policies that guarantee women's human rights and educate the community to take proactive and affirmative decisions in defense of women's rights.

VISION

Actively promote peace, respect and human dignity, for men as well as for women; in order for women to enjoy a better quality of life and exercise their rights; encourage government agencies and private entities to be sensible and characterized by inclusion, fairness and respect for human rights; and so that violence towards women and girls be erradicated, along with gender stereotypes.

Aspire, as an institution, to be recognized as an accessible resource, responsible for women and a working model for other agencies that are committed to developing actions geared towards solving problems confronted by women in our society.

ORGANIZATIONAL STRUCTURE

The following organizational units compose The Women's Advocate Office:

  • Advisory Council1
  • Communications and Press Office
  • Information Office
  • Human Resources Office
  • Advocate's Office
  • Assistant Advocate Office for Administration
  • Assistant Advocate Office for Legal Affairs
  • Assistant Advocate for Education and Support Services
1The Advisory Council advises the Office on all the matters related to women in all spheres of social life, political, economic etc., according to Article 7 of Act No. 20 of April 11, 2001.

GEOGRAPHIC LOCATION

The Women's Advocate Office is located at No. 1208 Ponce de Leon Avenue, Stop 18, corner Robert H. Todd in Santurce.


PROGRAMMATIC STRUCTURE



    • POSITIONS FILLED

    Authorized and Proposed Positions 2009 2010 2011 2012
    Sept./08 Sept./09 Sept./10 Feb./11 Proj.

     

    Total amount of positions 65 57 36 39 39

    Data comes from the Agency's Certified Headcount Reports. Figures for Fiscal Year 2011-2012 were estimated during the budget formulation process.


    PROGRAM

    Women's Affairs

    Program Description

    Designs, coordinates and offers conferences about domestic violence, education, fairness in the work environment and others. In addition, advises, offers legal assistance, conducts investigations about cases related to affairs that affect women's rights and promotes legislation to benefit women.

    Statistical Data 2010 2011 2012

     

    Bills and position papers to the legislature 50 50 50
    Complaints filed 97 97 97
    Complaints resolved 40 40 40
    Counseling to women victims of violence 600 600 600
    Customers served 12,600 12,600 10,500
    Judicial investigations 75 75 75
    New complaints 75 75 75
    Phone calls to the help line 3,728 5,400 4,000
    Services and advice to farmers 13,419 18,000 14,000
    Services offered by other agencies 31,826 36,000 40,000

    The statistical data was provided by the Agency during the Fiscal Year 2011-2012 budget formulation process.

    *Non governmental organizations

    Customers

    Women, students, public servants and private companies

    Human Resources

    Authorized and Proposed Positions 2009 2010 2011 2012

    Managerial,Technical, Administrative, and Office Staff 65 57 35 38
    Judges, Lawyers, and Legal Staff 0 0 1 1
    Total, Positions 65 57 36 39

    FISCAL YEAR 2011-2012 ADOPTED BUDGET

    The adopted consolidated budget for fiscal year 2011-2012 ascends to $9,079,000. The funds include: $2,242,000 originating from the Joint Resolution - General Fund, $3,800,000 from Special Appropriations -General Fund $2,037,000 from Federal Grants and $1,000,000 from Others Incomes.

    Operating Expenses reflect an increase of $2,327,000, compared with funds assigned for fiscal year 2010-2011 due to additional provisions from Federal Grants and Special Appropriations- General Fund, to continue to implement public policy against domestic violence.

    The funds from the Joint Resolution-General Fund will provide for the continuance of domestic violence prevention programs, assitance for victims of violence and education for the community, in coordination with agencies and municipalities, according to Act No. 54 of August 15, 1989, as amended. Moreover, two Special Appropriations-General Fund are included, one for $1,000,000 destined for the non-profit organizations that offer support to abused women and to victims of domestic violence; and an additional $1,500,000 to implement public policy which encourages the use of electronic tracking systems and Global Positioning System (GPS) for certain violent lawbreakers (OE 2008-048).

    Contributing federal programs include: Crime Victim Assistance, Grants to Encourage Arrest Policies and Enforcement of Protection Orders and Violence Against Women Formula Grants. An increase in Federal Grants is estimated to be directed towards reinforcing efforts to teach citizens about domestic violence.



    SUMMARY OF AVAILABLE RESOURCES

    Consolidated Budget  (thousands $) 2009 2010 2011 2012

     

    Program  
    Operational Expenses Actual Actual Budget Adopted
    Women's Affairs 7,081 5,767 6,752 9,079
    Subtotal, Operational Expenses 7,081 5,767 6,752 9,079
    Total, Program 7,081 5,767 6,752 9,079
     
    Funding Sources  
    Operational Expenses  
    Joint Resolution - General Fund 2,977 936 663 2,242
    Special Appropriations - General Fund 2,000 1,828 1,000 3,800
    Federal Grants 2,104 1,494 1,755 2,037
    Other Income 0 0 0 1,000
    Local Stabilization Fund 0 1,454 1,411 0
    Federal Economic Stimulus - ARRA 0 55 1,923 0
    Subtotal, Operational Expenses 7,081 5,767 6,752 9,079
    Total, Funding Sources 7,081 5,767 6,752 9,079
     
    Expense Category  
    Operational Expenses  
    Payroll and Related Expenses 2,682 2,011 1,880 1,896
    Rent and Utilities 132 101 45 46
    Purchased Services 452 369 350 338
    Donations, Subsidies, and Distributions 3,307 3,026 3,849 2,582
    Transportation Expenses 45 16 30 20
    Professional Services 326 136 487 105
    Other Expenses 15 34 7 7
    Non Distributed Allocations 0 0 0 3,800
    Previous Years Debt Payments 39 0 0 0
    Equipment Purchases 7 55 13 8
    Office Supplies and other Materials 68 13 31 27
    Advertising and Media Expenses 8 6 60 250
    Subtotal, Operational Expenses 7,081 5,767 6,752 9,079
    Total, Expense Category 7,081 5,767 6,752 9,079