16 Days of Activism campaign: Colombia

During the civil war in Colombia, sexual violence was used by armed groups to punish communities, instill fear in its citizens and impose military control.  Despite the Peace Agreement last year that brought about recognition for survivors of sexual violence during the conflict in Colombia, a current move by Congress may threaten their rights.

Most recently, Congress is trying to change the Peace Agreement, that would exclude sexual violence from this transitional justice scheme laid out earlier where victims under the age of 18 would not be included in transitional justice, but would have to go to the less effective ordinary courts, being excluded from the truth-seeking process. Of the at least 15,000 women and girls who suffered sexual violence during the civil war in Colombia, half of the crimes involved children.

The Network of Women Victims and Professionals – illustrating the efforts of survivors and other women in demanding their rights – is petitioning Congress to fight against their proposed changes that would limit the rights of these women and girls, excluding them from the benefits of transitional justice.

The petition can be found here, and will be brought to Congress in the coming days. Show your support by signing!