Breadcrumbs

The Role of Women Defenders of Human Rights in Colombia

Authored by: Juanita Candamil and Claudia María Mejía Duque

Categories: Statebuilding
Sub-Categories: Political Transitions, Transitional Justice
Country: Colombia
Region: Latin America and the Caribbean
Year: 2012
Citation: Candamil, Juanita, and Claudia María Mejía Duque. "The Role of Women Defenders of Human Rights in Colombia." Forced Migration Review 41 (2012): 33.

Access the Resource:

Executive Summary

Violence against women defenders of human rights is rarely recognised for what it really is: part of a deliberate, calculated strategy to force them to desist from their attempts to change society, save lives and receive justice. Recent reports show there has been a serious increase in the incidence of aggression against the movement for the defence of human rights in Colombia and, in particular, against women defenders of human rights. These attacks are aimed at silencing women defenders and as such they have a profound impact on perpetuation of the conflict – and prolonged displacement, given that the women’s movement has become a key player in effective reestablishment of the rights of the displaced population in Colombia, including the right to restitution of their lands