Civil Society and NGO Reports, Papers and Statements

Global Fund Learns First Hand About the Women's Movement in Colombia and Ecuador
July 2008

In January 2008, Erika Guevara Rosas, Global Fund Program Officer for the Americas, spent two weeks with Global Fund grantees in Colombia and Ecuador.
In Colombia, Erika visited the cities of Cartagena and the capital Bogota, and the communities of Turbaco and El Pozon in Bolivar. In Ecuador, Erika visited the capital city of Quito and spent time with an indigenous community in Otavalo, Imbabura.
This outreach trip enabled the Global Fund to learn firsthand about major political and socio-economic trends affecting women in both countries, which will help us identify concrete strategies for effectively supporting the women's movement in Colombia and Ecuador.

To read the report of the trip, please click HERE

Gender and Landmines: From Concept to Practice
Swiss Campaign to Ban Landmines, May 2008
Women, men, girls and boys are affected differently by the threat posed by the presence of landmines in their communities. Gender impacts the likelihood of becoming a victim of landmines, accessing medical care, reintegrating into society after being injured, and
accessing mine risk education.

This publication will show that when a gender perspective is applied on mine action, all actors generally benefit. It will emphasise how little it takes to gender mainstream, and how gender is doable by small means.

For more information, please click HERE

Global Justice Center: highlights on GJC's work for the women victims of the armed conflict in Colombia
Global Justice Center E-News, February/March 2008
In commemoration of the 52nd Session of the Commission on the Status of Women’s Review Theme: Women’s Equal Participation in Conflict Prevention, Management and Conflict Resolution and in Post-Conflict Peacebuilding, GJC takes this opportunity to highlight its work for the women victims of the armed conflict in Colombia.

Women Building Peace in the World - the Case of Colombia (Mujeres Construyendo Paz en el Mundo - El caso de Colombia)
Reflections of the WILPF Delegation to Colombia, July 2007 - An international delegation of WILPF members went to Colombia in the end of July 07 to assess the situation for women within a 1325 context. The delegation supported the concern that the civil population, and particularly women and young girls make up the majority of those who are at a disadvantage in Colombia, particularly as internally displaced individuals who more frequently are the specific target of attacks by armed groups.

Displaced Women and Girls in Colombia
March 2, 2007 – (AWID) AWID interviews Patricia Guerrero from the Liga de Mujeres Desplazadas (League of Displaced Women) in Colombia about their work, the threats they face, and the recent arson of their community centre.

Gender and International Justice: Reparations for Crimes against Women in Conflict and Post-conflict Contexts
Peace Research Center, Bulletin InfoCIP No.7, November 2005
The Centro de Investigación para la Paz (The Peace Research Center, CIP-FUHEM) is a research and education institute which analyzes international issues from a multidisciplinary perspective. It deals with armed conflicts, their causes and the actors involved, prevention and rehabilitation processes, and the effects of globalization on development. This Bulletin focuses on the key aspects of justice and reparations facing women during armed the conflicts of Colombia and Sri Lanka.

Violence and Discrimination against Women in the Armed Conflict in Colombia
Organization of American States Inter-American Commission on Human Rights, October 2006
This report analyzes the discrimination and violence against women in the context of the Colombian armed conflict. This report is based on the results of the on-site visit to Colombia undertaken by the former Special Rapporteur on the Rights of Women of the IACHR, Ms. Susana Villarán, between June 20-25, 2005. The primary objective of the visit was to assess the impact of the armed conflict on Colombian women and to receive information about the legislative, policy, institutional and judicial measures taken by the State to safeguard the rights of women within this sociopolitical context.

Mujeres Toman la Palabra en Debate sobre Verdad, Justicia y Reparación
Iniciativa de Mujeres Colombianas por la Paz, Boletín Periódico No. 13, Bogotá, Colombia, Marzo-Abril de 2005

Movilizandonos en el Mundo: Foro Social Mundial, Beijing +10, el 8 de marzo en Colombia
LIMPAL-Colombia, Boletina 10, Bogotá, Colombia, Marzo de 2005

Colombia Cannot Deny Internal Armed Conflict
Refugees International, RI Bulletin, 24 January 2005
For months Colombian President Alvaro Uribe has downplayed the armed conflict in his country, a conflict which has displaced over two million Colombians and forces up to 370 Colombians from their homes every day as the result of atrocities committed by all sides. President Uribe denies there is a conflict in Colombia, and instead refers to the perpetuation of violence as “terrorist activities.” By characterizing the conflict as a terrorist threat, the government is able to deny civilians protection guaranteed under international humanitarian law. In some cases civilians themselves are seen as part of the problem, rounded up in mass detentions, encouraged to act as informants against their neighbors, and formed into rural militias as “campesino soldiers.” The United Nations is presently negotiating the terms of the 2005 Humanitarian Action Plan for Colombia with the government. The UN and supporting donor governments must stand firm in defining the political and humanitarian situation in Colombia as an internal armed conflict with disproportionate and serious consequences for the civilian population.

La Guerra y el Hambre No Han Destruido Nuestra Dignidad
Ruta Pacifica de las Mujeres, Colombia, 25 noviembre de 2004

Cuerpos Marcados, Crimenes Silenciados: Violencia Sexual Contra las Mujeres en el Marco del Conflicto Armado
Amnistia Internacional, 13 octubre de 2004
El objetivo de este informe es ofrecer una plataforma a las mujeres que han sobrevivido a la violencia sexual, cuyas voces rara vez se escuchan debido a la vergüenza y el temor que han experimentado durante tanto tiempo, y así contribuir a que se conozca más la magnitud y la gravedad de la violencia contra las mujeres en el conflicto armado colombiano. Amnistia Internacional recomienda al gobierno colombiano aplicar la Resolución 1325 (2000) del Consejo de Seguridad sobre Mujer, Paz y Seguridad. El gobierno colombiano debe asumir dicha resolución como guía y asegurar el derecho de las mujeres a participar en todos los niveles de decisión en relación al conflicto.

Scarred bodies, Hidden Crimes: Sexual Violence Against Women in the Armed Conflict
Amnesty International, 13 October 2004
Amnesty International’s report is the result of several research missions to Colombia during 2003 and 2004. During the visits, the organization conducted interviews with government authorities, survivors, witnesses, activists and organizations working on cases of sexual violence and those which provide assistance to victims. The report is based on first-hand accounts by survivors. Amnesty International calls on the Colombian government to implement Security Council Resolution 1325 (2000) on Women and Peace and Security. The government should use the resolution as a guide and ensure that women are able to participate at all levels of decision-making with regard to the armed conflict.

El Exilio que Nos Habita
LIMPAL-Colombia, Campana/Campaign, September 2004

The Impact of Conflict and Community Organizing on Colombian Lesbians, Gays, Bisexuals, Transvestites and Transgender Individuals
Neil Jeffery, Executive Director and Tara Carr, Research Fellow, US Office on Colombia, 7 September 2004
The forty-year civil conflict exacerbates the potential for abuse as state protection is weakened, individuals rely upon force to achieve their goals, and armed actors seek societal control through intimidation and violence. Members of LGBT communities require vigorous protection by Colombian state institutions as well as monitoring by non-governmental organizations to ensure the preservation of their social, political, economic and social rights.

Report and Declaration on the Visit of Under Secretary-General Jan Egeland to Cartagena, Colombia/Informe y Declaración sobre la Visita de Jan Egeland, Secretario General Adjunto para Asuntos Humanitarios de las Naciones Unidas a Cartagena Colombia
La Liga de Mujeres Desplazadas, El Universal, Colombia, 7 May 2004   [.doc format]

Preparing for Peace: The Critical Role of Women in Colombia
Women Waging Peace, Policy Commission, Full Conference Report, 9-14 May 2004
Women Waging Peace hosted 16 Colombian women peacebuilders for meetings, presentations, and events in Washington, DC. The purpose of the conference was to elevate the voices of women in Colombia and to urge the US government, international governmental organizations, think tanks, and nongovernment organizations to promote the inclusion of women in all peace-building efforts in the country. The series of events in May 2004 was an opportunity to bring these Colombian leaders and other experts together to develop concrete recommendations for policymakers to include women in their attempts to bring stability and security to the country.

In the Midst of War: Women’s Contributions to Peace in Colombia
Women Waging Peace, Policy Commission, Executive Summary, May 2004
This report assesses the importance of a gender perspective in peace negotiations and documents the critical work of women at local, regional, and national levels to mitigate the effects of continued violence on their communities, mobilize for renewed dialogues, and prepare for the next cycle of peace in Colombia.

Viviendo Esta Guerra Que No Es Nuestra
LIMPAL-Colombia, Boletina 6, Bogota, el abril de 2004

Las Mujeres Colombianas Mantenemos la Esperanza
LIMPAL-Colombia, Boletina 5, Bogota, el marzo de 2004

Global Internally Displaced Persons Database: Colombia Profile
IDP Project of the Norweigan Refugee Council, February 2004 (updated)

The Impact of War on Women: Current Realities, Government Responses and Recommendations for the Future
Neil Jeffery, Executive Director and Tara Carr, Research Fellow, U.S. Office on Colombia, February 2004
In order to respond effectively to the crisis, the government must consider the implications of displacement for women and create remedies that attack the roots causes of sexism, violence and poverty.  It must recognize the security implications for Colombia as displaced women are raising children who may undermine future peace prospects if their human needs are not addressed today.  Likewise, United States aid should be targeted to assist women find solutions to chronic marginalization for themselves and their families. Without sufficient attention to the unique challenges and gifts of women, Colombian society risks wasting valuable human resources and losing opportunities for forging peace.

Violence Against Women in Colombia a Continuing Concern
The World Organisation Against Torture (OMCT), Women's Programme, Press Release, 11 November 2003

Paz con Justicia Social Para las Mujeres
LIMPAL-Colombia, Boletina 1, Bogota, el noviembre de 2003

Pronunciamiento en torno al asesinato de la Señora Esperanza Amaris Miranda de la Organización Femenina Popular (OFP)
La Mesa de trabajo “Mujer y conflicto armado”, Bogotá, 17 de octubre de 2003

Fear for Safety/Threats to Women Human Right Defenders in Colombia
Amnesty International, UA 248/03, 20 August 2003

Agenda de las Mujeres por la Paz
Initiativa de Mujeres Colombianas por la Paz, Mayo 2003
Hoy 25 de Noviembre, Día del NO a la Violencia contra las Mujeres, decidimos autónomamente convocarnos en uno de los recintos nacionales donde se decide la vida de las mujeres y los hombres colombianos, para expresarle, tanto al gobierno nacional como a los actores armados ilegales y al conjunto de la sociedad colombiana, lo que pensamos de nuestra actualidad socio- política y ratificar nuestro trabajo y compromiso para desactivar los artefactos de la guerra y encontrar caminos hacia la reconciliación

Las Mujeres en la Guerra y Su Participacion en la Construccion de la Paz
Profamilia Colombia. Espacio Libre. vol. 5. Marzo 2003

Displaced and Desperate: Assessment of Reproductive Health for Colombia’s Internally Displaced Persons
Marie Stopes International and Women’s Commission for Refugee Women and Children on behalf of the Reproductive Health for Refugees Consortium, February 2003
The assessment team found that internally displaced persons (IDPs) suffer a critical lack of access to reproductive health care owing to a number of factors. Colombians’ access to health care overall is faltering between national policy at the central level and services to the population at decentralized levels, leaving many Colombians, particularly IDPs, to fall through the cracks without health care. While the main role of United Nations (UN) agencies is to support local and national capacity to respond to the humanitarian crisis, the Colombian government has abdicated its responsibility to provide reproductive health services and the result is a tragic dearth of services for IDPs.

Ruta Pacifica de las mujeres y Mujeres de Negro from Colombia
(Women of the Pacifist Route and Women in Black)
Martha Colorado, Women and Environments International, Spring 2003

Women Human Rights Defenders: Organizacion Femenina Popular
Amnesty International, 2003

Milliones No Vistos: La Catastrofe del Desplazamiento Interno en Colombia
La Comision de Mujeres para las Mujeres y los Ninos Refugiados, el marzo 2002
Unseen Millions: The Catastrophe of Internal Displacement in Colombia: Children and Adolescents at Risk
Women's Commision for Refugee Women and Children, March 2002
Displaced families struggle for a meager existence in the slums of major cities. More than 400,000 displaced people crowd Bogota alone. In the slums surrounding the capital, displaced children cannot obtain a primary education. Instead, they must rely on informal "community schools" organized by adults in their precarious communities. In other areas, displaced children lack access to even those informal institutions, and are growing up without any schooling at all. Throughout Colombia, young adults languish in displaced persons settlements and despair of finding opportunities that will allow them to escape their marginalized status. Without options, girls turn to prostitution to help their families. Adolescent pregnancy rates for IDP girls are skyrocketing, and, because they are displaced, these young women may be turned away from hospitals even when they need life-saving care.

Intervencion en la Oficina de la Alta Comisionada de las Naciones Unidas para los Derechos Humanos sobre la Resolucion 1325
Patricia Guerrero, LIMPAL/WILPF-Colombia, 2002

Unimos Todas Nuestras Voces y Acciones Contra la Guerra
11 de junio 2002

Con La Esperanza a Cuestas: Intervencion de La Secretaria Ejecutiva de La Liga Internacional de Mujeres Por la Paz y la Libertad - Colombia
Patricia Guerrero, El Segundo Encuentro de la Liga de Mujeres Desplazadas de Bolivar, Cartagena, Colombia, 1-2 de junio del 2002
Este documento quiere mostrar una experiencia de resistencia de mujeres desplazadas forzadas por el conflicto interno armado Colombiano.

Women of Colombia on FIRE: Interviews
Feminist International Radio Endeavour (FIRE), 8 March 2002
Women from different national and regional organizations in Colombia came together on March 8, 2002 to draft and disseminate a comprehensive analysis and plan of action to influence the dying peace process in their country. The press conference were they announced their plan was covered live vÌa telephone by Feminist International Radio Endeavour's webcast marathon that day.

Lecturas de Silencios
Asociación Nacional de Enfermeras de Colombia (ANEC), Programa de Paz, 2002
Es una propuesta de atención integral para mujeres violadas sexualmente por razones del conflicto armado colombiano, dirigida a los profesionales que atienden esta problemática. Propuesta que se validó y construyó en los diferentes talleres con las organizaciones gubernamentales y de sociedad civil. Esta propuesta contiene tres módulos pedagógicos para multiplicadores de la experiencia.

Declaracion Final de Paz
Grupos numerosos, Ecuentro sobre Las Mujeres y La Paz en Colombia, Estocolmo, Suecia, el 17-18 Septiembre 2001

Colombia Tesimony for Tokyo Tribunal
Patricia Guerrero, LIMPAL-Colombia, el septiembre del 2000

Declaracion Politica de Mujeres Colombianas Frente a la Conferencia Beijing +5
Mujeres Acción 2000, América Latina-Caribe, Bogotá, 2 de junio de 2000

The Internally Displaced in Colombia: Gendered Experiences of Destruction and Rebuilding of Life: A Briefing Note
Donny Meertens, National University of Colombia, Gender & Development Program, 1999

Informe Alternativo Presentado al Comite de Seguimiento a la Convencion para la Eliminacion de Todas las Formas de Discriminacion Contra la Mujer
Comite de America Latina y el Caribe para la Defensa de los Derechos de la Mujer (CLADEM), Bogota, diciembre de 1998

UN Documents

¡Aprobado el Protocolo facultativo de la CEDAW por el Congreso colombiano!
UNIFEM-Colombia, INFOFEM, Boletin 3, Bogota, Colombia, junio 2005

Women at the Edge: Colombian Refugees in Ecuador
UN Development Fund for Women (UNIFEM), February 2005
The study described in this publication focuses on the border region, known as "Frontera Norte (Northern Border)" in Ecuador and "Frontera Sur (Southern Border)" in Colombia. This region has received about 21,000 asylum requests from displaced Colombians between 2000 and 2003. The region is stricken with poverty, unemployment, lack of infrastructure and environmental contamination. These problems make the possibility of receiving displaced people looking for refuge more difficult. The study looks at the differential impact of the conflict on women and men. Various studies have shown that women in Colombia represent more than 50 per cent of the total displaced population and suffer the consequences of conflict to a higher degree. Women are in a more vulnerable situation than men.

Implementando la Resolución 1325: Las Mujeres Colombianas en Busca de la Paz: Una Aproximacion a sus Iniciativas y Propuestas
UN Development Fund for Women (UNIFEM), Programa de Paz y Seguridad en América Latina, Bogota, Colombia, noviembre de 2004

Violence Against Women in Colombia
William Spindler and Jennifer Clark, UN High Commissoner for Refugees (UNHCR), Bogotá, Colombia, 25 November 2004

Destierros y Desarraigos: Memorias de II Seminario Internacional Desplazamiento: Implicaciones y Retos para la Gobernabilidad, la Democracia y los Derechos Humanos
Derechos Humanos y el Desplazamiento CODHES y Organización Internacional para las Migraciones OIM
La publicación recopila las memorias del II Seminario Internacional Desplazamiento: implicaciones y retos para la gobernabilidad, la democracia y los derechos humanos. El evento fue realizado entre el 4 y el 6 de septiembre de 2002 y fue convocado por la Consultoría para los Derechos Humanos y el Desplazamiento CODHES. El seminario constituyó un valioso aporte en la valoración del estado actual del fenómeno del desplazamiento y en la proposición de soluciones integrales al problema de la migración forzada. En estas memorias se reúnen las diferentes perspectivas y propuestas que el gobierno de Colombia, la sociedad civil y la comunidad internacional consideran pertinentes para la solución estructural del desplazamiento y la atención a la población desplazada. El seminario abrió un espacio de debate sobre las implicaciones y los retos que la prolongación de los procesos de conflicto y migración forzada en Colombia tienen sobre la gobernabilidad, la democracia, los derechos humanos y la paz. Las preguntas centrales de este II seminario internacional en el marco de la situación del país, fueron: ¿cuáles serán las consecuencias de este proceso de reestructuración del conflicto armado interno sobre la situación de derechos humanos, ya de por sí afectada por una profunda crisis de tipo estructural?; ¿de qué tipo de democracia se está hablando en este nuevo contexto?; ¿cuáles serán las consecuencias de este nuevo clima de polarización para las fronteras colombianas, cada vez más afectadas por la migración forzada?

Expertas internacionales en Derechos de la mujer, expresan su preocupación por la 'invisibilidad' de la generalizada violencia basada en el género en Colombia
Oficina del Alto Comisionado de las Naciones Unidas para los Derechos Humanos , Comunicado de prensa, 3 de agosto 2002

Derechos de la Mujer
Oficina en Colombia del Alto Comisionado de las Naciones Unidas para los Derechos Humanos, Edición n.°: 1, 2 002
Esta publicación incluye los siguientes temas: preguntas y respuestas sobre los derechos de la mujer, instrumentos internacionales de protección de los derechos de la mujer, participación de la mujer en la construcción de la paz y la democracia, interpretación de normas internacionales sobre los derechos de la mujer, recomendaciones de órganos internacionales de derechos humanos hechas a Colombia sobre los derechos de la mujer (1980- 2002).

Integration of the Human Rights of Women and the Gender Perspective, Violence Against Women in Colombia
Radhika Coomaraswamy, Special Rapporteur on Violence Against Women, 11 March 2002
This report contains the findings of the Special Rapporteur on violence against women following her visit to Colombia on official mission in November 2001, during which she met with members of the Women's International League for Peace and Freedom-Colombia section, to investigate, assess and report on the impact of the conflict on the human rights of women. The role of violence against women as a part of the internal armed conflict in Colombia has been overshadowed by the numerous other problems facing the country. The Special Rapporteur documents the impact of internal conflict on women the widespread and systematic nature gender-based violence and the various forms of it that are suffered. Rarely is there direct confrontation between the different armed groups, rather these armed groups attempt to settle their scores by attacking civilians suspected of supporting the other side. Although men are the most common victims of summary executions and massacres, violence against women, particularly sexual violence by armed groups, has become a common practice within the context of a slowly degrading conflict and a lack of respect for international humanitarian law.

Government Statements and Reports

Intervencion Gobermental durante la Revision de la Plataforma de Accion de Beijing (+10)
Martha Lucia Vasquez Zawadzky, Alta Consejera Presidencial para la Equidad de la Mujer, Comision de la Condicion Social y Juridical de la Mujer, Nueva York, el 2 marzo de 2005

United States Congressional members seek end to gender-based violence in Colombia
US Congressional signatories, Washington, DC. 23 November 2004

Participación Política de las Mujeres en Colombia: Dificultades, Avances y Retos para el Nueno Mileno
La Consejería Presidencial para la Equidad de la Mujer, Observatorio de Asuntos de Género (OAG), Gobierno Colombiano, Boletin 1, mayo-agosto de 2004

United States House of Representatives Resolution 465: Commending the efforts of women in the Republic of Colombia to promote peace
Representatives McGovern, Schakowsky and Honda, 108th Congress, 2nd Session, 24 June 2004

State Report to the Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination Against Women
Government of Colombia, 20th Session, CEDAW/C/COL/4, 28 August 1997

Books, Journals and Articles

La construcción política de la paz en Colombia: Un desafío de la sociedad civil
Jorge Rojas Rodríguez en Alternativas a la guerra: Iniciativas y procesos de paz en Colombia. Conciliation Resources. Accord: an international review of peace initiatives, No. 14, 2004

Political peacebuilding: a challenge for civil society
Jorge Rojas Rodríguez in Alternatives to War: Colombia's Peace Process. Conciliation Resources. Accord: an international review of peace initiatives, No. 14, 2004

Voces de Mujer: Arranca Operación Sirirí por los Acuerdos Humanitarios
Iniciativa de Mujeres Colombianas por la Paz, Boletín Periódico No.9, Bogotá, Colombia, noviembre - diciembre de 2003

Diversity and Collective Spaces for Organizing: Colombian Women's Initiatives and Multiplicities of Resistance
Sheila Gruner. Women & Environments International Magazine, Issue 58/59, p21-25. Spring 2003

Colombian Women: Survival Amidst War
Martha Colorado. Women's Health Collection, 7 : 99. Latin American and Caribbean Women's Health Network, Chile: January 2003

Integrating a Gender Perspective in Conflict Resolution: the Colombian Case
Eva Irene Tuft. Inger Skjelsbaek and Dan Smith (Eds.). Gender, Peace and Conflict. London: Sage Publications, 2001

Gender, Conflict and Building Sustainable Peace: Recent Lessons from Latin America
Caroline O.N. Moser and Fiona C. Clark. Gender and Development, Vol. 9 Issue 3. November 2001
Latin American experiences of conflict and building sustainable peace have tended to show a clear neglect of a gender analysis of the impacts of conflict and the peace negotiations that end it, much to the detriment of many women and men affected by and involved in the civil conflicts that have ravaged the region during the last thirty years. What do Colombian women and men have to learn from these
experiences? In May 2000, a workshop entitled 'Latin American Experiences of Gender, Conflict, and Building Sustainable Peace' was
held in Bogotá, Colombia with representatives from several Latin American countries. This paper briefly highlights some of the issues
raised at the workshop and aims to provide lessons and recommendations for others working in the fields of conflict analysis and resolution,
humanitarian assistance, and interventions for peace and development.