Building Resilience and Empowering Women in Colombia Through Community Committees

Addressing Gender-Based Violence in Colombia 

As part of Ireland’s Civil Society Partnership (ICSP) “For a Better World” programme, funded by Irish Aid, GOAL is empowering women in Colombia by engaging both men and women from the northern Atlantic coast, particularly in Magdalena and La Guajira.

This initiative has created vital community spaces where workshops on human rights, gender-based violence (GBV), the care economy, and women’s empowerment are held. These activities respect the ancestral wisdom of indigenous communities and are tailored to the unique dynamics of each region. Participants have also taken part in awareness sessions on sexual and reproductive rights, further enhancing community resilience. 

A GOALie in Colombia facilitating a Community Committee meeting where gender-based violence and women’s empowerment, among other topics, are discussed.

GBV is a pervasive issue in Colombia. In 2021 alone, the Observatory of Legal Medicine recorded 55,582 cases of GBV.  The Attorney General’s Office reports that between January and September 2023, an alarming 410 femicides were reported. Many of these women were under the age of 30 and were often killed by their current or ex-partner. 

In response, GOAL has designed specific interventions for the women of Tasajeras and Manaure, offering psycho-social tools to help them recognise the signs of violence, understand the available legal protections, and access support for themselves and their communities. 

In collaboration with HealthNet TPO, GOAL launched the “We Are Voice” campaign to raise awareness of GBV and promote its eradication through audiovisual content and workshops.  

The campaign has reached more than 15,000 users on Instagram and has had significant participation on Facebook and X (Twitter). GOAL Colombia is continuing to raise visibility and awareness of gender-based violence through this initiative. Between February and September 2023, more than 300 people, including 140 men from various regions, including Barranquilla, Bogotá, and Riohacha, directly participated in these activities. 

Institutional Support for Empowering Women in Colombia

This initiative has garnered support from organisations such as HealthNet TPO, UNFPA, and Universidad del Bosque. These partners have contributed through various means, including a short course offered by the university to prevent violence against women. The course seeks to challenge social and cultural beliefs and attitudes to promote resilience and social change within the community. 

Strengthening Communities Through Training and Participation 

GOAL believes that community empowerment comes from training and active participation. The establishment of Women’s Community Committees has provided women from Manaure and Tasajeras with the tools to recognise GBV and drive personal and collective transformation. 

Rosa María, a 42-year-old single mother of three from Tasajeras, Magdalena, is a testament to the impact of GOAL’s work. She is a member of the Women’s Community Committee and a survivor of GBV.  

Rosa has participated in workshops that cover emotional care, sexual and reproductive health, gender equity, and leadership skills. These sessions have empowered her to rebuild her life and contribute meaningfully to her community.  

Additionally, she learned about financial literacy, entrepreneurship, and the importance of women engaging in sustainable livelihoods.  

Reflecting on her experience, Rosa said, “I have learned the importance of empowering women since I was also a victim of gender-based violence by my daughters’ father. Today, I can say that I am a survivor. I was brave and managed to get ahead with my daughters, thanks to the support of my family, my parents, and siblings.”   

Learn more about the #WeAreVoice Campaign.