Meet the Moment: Colombia’s Presidential Election and the Future of Peace, Democracy & Climate Action

Meet the Moment: Colombia’s Presidential Election and the Future of Peace, Democracy & Climate Action

Nearly a decade after Colombia’s landmark 2016 peace agreement—which included 100+ gender provisions recognizing women’s roles in peacebuilding and addressing conflict-related harms—implementation remains uneven, particularly in climate-vulnerable, rural and conflict-affected regions where women leaders face threats, displacement, and violence from armed groups. In recent months, Colombia has experienced a sharp deterioration in security marked by escalating clashes among armed actors, targeted attacks on social leaders and political figures, forced recruitment, and growing concerns over shrinking civic space and political polarization. As Colombians prepare to head to the polls for the runoff vote on June 21, 2026, the country faces a choice between the competing visions of peace and security posed by left-wing candidate Iván Cepeda and right-wing candidate Abelardo de la Espriella. 

To meet this moment, GIWPS will convene women leaders working on issues related to peace, security, democracy, and climate action in Colombia for a virtual discussion on the key dynamics shaping the electoral environment. The conversation will explore how women and marginalized communities are experiencing the current moment, the challenges facing civic and political participation, and what the potential election outcomes could mean for Colombia’s implementation of inclusive peacebuilding efforts and climate leadership.

Featuring:

Diana Dajer
Manager of Democracy at Fundación Corona

Margarita Martínez Osorio
Gender Coordinator at DeJusticia

Juanita Serrano Zapata
Feminist Antimilitarist Activist 

Kim Hart
Director of Policy and Programs, The Georgetown Institute for Women, Peace and Security