Bolivia | Colombia: women's rights - human rights: Misereor

Violence and financial worries characterise the daily lives of many women in Bolivia and Colombia.

With your donation, you will help strengthen the protection of women on the ground and support Misereor’s global work for human rights and justice.

Continent

Latin & Central America

Thematic focus:

Gender equality

“Ni una menos!” (“Not one more!”), shout women taking to the streets in Latin America’s major cities. Or: “I am worth something. So is my work!” More and more of them are standing up. They are fighting back against having to endure violence day in, day out, or even having to live in fear of being murdered – simply because they are women. Almost 80 per cent of all women in Bolivia experience violence in their relationships. This is reported by Misereor’s partner organisation ECAM in Tarija, Bolivia. What’s more, almost all unpaid care work falls on women’s shoulders – often alongside hard, precarious and poorly paid paid work.

Every day, many women seek ways to escape poverty, violence and powerlessness. Misereor’s partner organisations stand by their side: providing legal advice so that those affected can assert their rights, and psychosocial support to help them come to terms with severe trauma and find new strength for themselves and their children. This work gives women the courage to reshape their lives on their own terms.

Poverty is female. Indigenous and older women are disadvantaged in many ways, both in Bolivia and in Colombia.

A strong role model for girls: Community leader Delina Estrada, trained and supported by ECAM and Misereor.

Women take the space they deserve! Vamos Mujer brings the issue of gender equality into the public eye.

Women's solidarity gives strength and security. Corporación Vamos Mujer nurtures this valuable treasure.

Let's go! With every course and every workshop at ECAM, participants gain confidence and self-assurance.

Ines Rodriguez has found new strength through ECAM. Today, as a reporter, she helps to improve life in her neighbourhood for everyone.

Together, it’s easier to make a fresh start. The organisation ‘Vamos Mujer’ in Antioquia, Colombia, encourages women to organise themselves into networks. The ‘Las Lilas’ group brings together older women who are often stepping outside traditional gender roles for the first time: Baking and selling biscuits together provides many of them with their first source of independent income. In other groups, survivors of violence come together to process their experiences creatively, for example through self-produced podcasts. Some also train to become support workers for women facing similar life crises.

Women who rediscover their own voices play an active role in shaping their communities. Misereor’s partners support them in this: ECAM, for example, trains women to become radio reporters. Their reports expose injustices and spark discussions that affect everyone, regardless of gender or age. As so-called ‘lideresas’ (female leaders), graduates take on responsibility in their neighbourhoods and drive change forward.

Women’s rights affect every aspect of community life. That is why our partner organisations specifically involve boys and men, particularly through educational and public awareness initiatives. This helps to break down prejudices, promotes non-violent conflict resolution and lays the foundations for a new way of living together: one based on respect and solidarity.

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10 €

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1.000 €

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10 euros is an example of the cost of training materials and further training courses for the professional support of women affected by violence.

When making a donation by bank transfer, please quote the reference ‘S63408 Bolivia/Colombia: Women’s Rights’ in the payment reference field. This lets us know which project is particularly close to your heart; your contribution will be channelled as a general donation towards this work and Misereor’s overall global mission.

To ensure that your donation has an impact in the long term, Misereor uses a small proportion for important administration an related tasks. This way, we make sure that projects are selected carefully and implemented responsibly and that their effects are regularly monitored. Should it not be possible to use your donation as planned, we will use it where it is currently needed most.

Our local partner organisations

Equipo de Communicacíon Alternativa con Mujeres (ECAM)

The Misereor partner organisation "Equipo de Communicacíon Alternativa con Mujeres", ECAM for short, was founded in 1993. It is active in the Bolivian city of Tarija. Its work focuses on the participation and empowerment of women. To this end, it raises awareness through campaigns and radio programmes, encourages women to participate in politics and supports them individually. For example, by offering them educational programmes, advising them on legal issues or teaching them how to market goods they have produced themselves. The programme also includes work with boys and men, for example as part of school groups or special workshops.

Corporación Vamos Mujer

The Misereor partner organisation "Corporación Vamos Mujer" has been doing pioneering work since 1979. Back then, it was the first point of contact for women in the Colombian department of Antioquia, where living conditions are particularly difficult and characterised by violence. Through its work, it promotes the self-organisation of women into long-term groups. The women develop a network that strengthens and sustains them so that they can also find out about their rights and stand up for them with renewed self-confidence. In this way, the Misereor partner contributes to a peaceful society that negotiates conflicts instead of allowing them to escalate into violence.

Suzanne Lemken

Donor Communications

Telephone: +49 241 442127
E-mail: suzanne.lemken@misereor.de

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When I wanted to speak in front of other people, I always started to cry and couldn't get a word out. Thanks to ECAM, I say what I want to say today. My plan for the future: when ECAM offers the next literacy course, I'll participate. After all, I'm a journalist - I should be able to write properly.

Ines Rodriguez
Radio reporter for ECAM in Tarija

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