Healing for Sexual Violence Survivors in Colombia

On October 3, a peace deal to end more than 50 years of war between the Colombian government and the FARC, an armed rebel group, was narrowly rejected in a national vote. It was an unfortunately setback in Colombia's journey to peace. Still, MADRE and our local partners remain hopeful for peace and justice. Here are just a few of their words.

Colombia’s women peacebuilders and grassroots peace activists,like the ones above, are determined to keep up their work. And MADRE is committed to stand with them.

Together with our partners, we’ve mobilized to protect communities in the worst days of war. We’ve cared for survivors of violence and helped them speak out for their rights. And in the face of this setback, we rededicate ourselves to creating peace in Colombia.

I know that with your support for MADRE and our partners, we will realize that goal.

Last week, MADRE visited our partners in Colombia, Taller de Vida, to launch a new project in El Choco, a community hard hit by decades of war. Together with Taller de Vida, we help women and youth recover from war, through art and activism. Here are some photos and updates from the trip!

Monday
In Quibdó, we work with Afro-Colombian and Indigenous activists on how to address the challenges faced by women and girls and create the changes they want to see.

Tuesday
In El Choco, we spoke with Indigenous activists about how we can work together to reduce violence against women, improve maternal health and protect their culture.

We presented our work with our grassroots partners, Taller de Vida, to local organizations and the Ministry of Health in Quibdó.

Our work to reduce sexual violence against girls was well received by these local advocates eager to make their communities safer for girls.

Wednesday 
We met Sandra in the Tokio neighborhood of Pereira. After war forced her from her home, our partners Taller de Vida helped her get back on her feet.

They gave her support to open a shop. Now, not only can she raise money to support herself, she shows other women how to follow in her footsteps.

This was a "Resilience" session led by Taller de Vida at a local school in Tokio. Young children express their feelings through drawings. These drawings help their counselors and mentors determine how best to help them overcome their trauma.

Thursday
War forced Emberá Indigenous women to flee their homes for safety in a nearby community. But now, they're isolated. They speak a different language and have different traditions from the rest of the community. With our local partners, we provide human rights training that connects women to each other and gives them tools to demand their rights.

Young women and men in Pereira perform a traditional Afro-Colombian dance from the Pacific coast. Dancing is one of the many ways that traditional culture is passed from generation to generation and is key to giving Colombian youth a strong sense of identity.

All photos (c) MADRE

To see more photos from our trip, click here!