How Women Are Shaping Peacebuilding in Colombia
Source: Borgen Project
Women have played an important role in Colombia’s efforts to build peace after more than five decades of armed conflict. The conflict had a particularly serious impact on rural women, as violence and displacement cost them their land, livelihoods and economic security. United Nations (UN) Women reported that rural and Indigenous women were pushed into severe poverty during the conflict. During peace negotiations between the Colombian government and the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC-EP), women’s organizations pushed for greater participation and demanded recognition of these experiences. Their involvement led to the creation of a Gender Sub-Commission and helped bring women’s rights and gender equality into the 2016 Peace Agreement. Women in peacebuilding in Colombia therefore play a role not only in building peace but also in addressing some of the social and economic effects left by decades of conflict.
Women have played an important role in Colombia’s efforts to build peace after more than five decades of armed conflict. The conflict had a particularly serious impact on rural women, as violence and displacement cost them their land, livelihoods and economic security. United Nations (UN) Women reported that rural and Indigenous women were pushed into severe poverty during the conflict. During peace negotiations between the Colombian government and the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC-EP), women’s organizations pushed for greater participation and demanded recognition of these experiences. Their involvement led to the creation of a Gender Sub-Commission and helped bring women’s rights and gender equality into the 2016 Peace Agreement. Women in peacebuilding in Colombia therefore play a role not only in building peace but also in addressing some of the social and economic effects left by decades of conflict.