La Paz, May 30 (RHC)-- President Evo Morales urged Bolivians to end violence against women and to foster a culture of respect towards them instead.  As the Andean country was celebrating Mother's Day earlier this week, he reminded people that mothers represent the unifying core of the family which justifies their complete protection.

"We keep hearing about attacks and violence against women.  I am asking everyone to have respect toward mothers, a lot of respect for women and partners because they are part of life."

Mother's Day was also an occasion to celebrate the 10th-year anniversary of 'Juana Azurduy,' a social program that provides benefits to Bolivian mothers in a bid to address poverty and death during childbirth.

"Ten years ago, we thought about what would be the best gift on Mother's Day, and we came up with the Juana Azurduy benefits," Evo said on Twitter.

According to official estimates, more than two million women and children under two years of age have benefited from the measure over the past decade, guaranteeing better health care for them at a crucial moment in a child's life.