The women’s movement in Colombia has steadfastly called for peace throughout more than five decades of civil war. Together, these groups form a strong, collective voice for women. Meet three women’s organizations working for peace in Colombia:
Since 1982 Casa de la Mujer has defended, promoted and protected women’s rights in Colombia. A feminist organization at heart, Casa de la Mujer works in 20 departments across Colombia to form and strengthen collectives of women who have been impacted by the conflict—as of 2013, the organization has worked with over 83,000 women and 630 women’s groups. Casa de la Mujer has played a significant role in creating and strengthening spaces for women on a national scale.
Liga International de Mujeres por la Paz y Libertad (LIMPAL)
LIMPAL is the Colombian branch of the Women’s International League for Peace and Freedom (WILPF). Founded in 1915, WILPF is the oldest women’s peace organization in the world. In Colombia, LIMPAL works to reconstruct bonds of solidarity that have been broken due to the internal conflict, strengthen women’s rights processes and support grassroots projects that work to build alternative economic markets based on fair trade. On a national scale, LIMPAL uses its voice to work towards peace and gender justice.
Iniciativa de Mujeres Colombianas por la Paz (IMP)
The Iniciativa de Mujeres Colombianas por la Paz (Alianza IMP) is an alliance of 22 women’s organizations, including indigenous, academics, feminists, afro-Colombians and others. The Alianza IMP was established in November 2001 at a conference in Sweden that brought together various women’s organizations from Colombia to build and share strategies for peace. The Alliance bases its foundation in UN Resolution 1325 on women, peace and security and acts as a collective voice for women at the official peace negotiations.
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Follow along online as Laureate Jody Williams travels to Colombia to stand in solidarity with women involved in the #ProcesoDePaz on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram @NobelWomen