“Ruta Pacífica de Mujeres”: Women in peacebuilding. (2023)
In Colombia, women from all parts of the country are committed to building peace. One example of this is the feminist movement «Ruta Pacífica de las Mujeres», which has been active at national level since 1996 and is made up of representatives from 300 organizations from 18 departments in the country.
Teresa Aristizabal Sánchez is one of the founders of this feminist movement. She comes from Medellín, is a social worker and describes herself as a feminist, human rights defender, activist and pacifist. Her work with the «Ruta Pacífica de las Mujeres» began when she carried out a study in Urabá antioqueño, a region heavily affected by armed conflict. She witnesses the numerous human rights violations to which the women of this region are subjected. This situation motivated her to join forces with other female colleagues and draw attention to the specific situation of women. They founded the feminist movement, which campaigns against war and for peace.
Teresa works in different regions of the country and focuses on psychosocial counseling, care for women affected by war and the documentation of stories of women victims of the armed conflict. Her contribution to peace-building for more than 25 years has been remarkable.
Damaris Palacio, also an activist and human rights defender of the «Ruta Pacífica de las Mujeres», works for peace in the department of Chocó. She herself experienced the violence of the armed conflict in her home region. Today, she supports women affected by violence by motivating them to talk about what they have experienced. Promoting self-care and self-protection are important components of her work. This also includes helping women and making them aware that they do not have to feel guilty for what has happened to them. Violence against women is made visible, they are informed about their rights and strengthened by a women’s network. Damaris thus contributes to peace-building through her activism with the «Ruta Pacifica de las Mujeres».
Lisinia Collazos Yule is also part of the feminist peace movement and a survivor of the armed conflict. Lisinia belongs to an indigenous community in the department of Cauca. She began her activism in the Ruta Pacifica de las Mujeres when she went to Bogotá together with 70 other families who had also been displaced. There she drew attention to the precarious circumstances and violence in her region. She discovered activism and leadership potential within herself and began to stand up for her rights together with other women. According to Lisinia, there are already many indigenous women who are fighting for peace. Their participation in peace demonstrations, their work in their community, in which men also support women in their interests, and their influence in local politics are important contributions to peacebuilding.
These examples show the diversity of peacebuilding by women in Colombia and the admirable power of women social leaders in their work. At the same time, they should serve as a call for women in particular to receive support at an early stage and to prevent violence.
Literature:
«Ruta Pacífica de las Mujeres». (11 de junio de 2023).
Mujeres lideresas aportan a la construcción de la paz.
Authors: Maria Mauersberger and Carla Beck
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