Mujeres, paz y territorio: Construcción de paz en Colombia a través de los enfoques étnico y de género

• Pages: 9-48
• Date: 01 July 2024
• Author: Deborah Presta
• Subject Matter: Derecho Internacional

Revista Internacional de Derechos Humanos / E-ISSN 2422-7188 / 2024 Vol.14, No. 2

revistaidh.org

Women, Peace and Territory: Peacebuilding in

Colombia through Ethnic and Gender Approaches

Mujeres, paz y territorio. Construcción de paz en Colombia a

través de los enfoques étnico y de género

Déborah Presta Novello1

Abstract: Indigenous women have gone through dif‌ferent types of

inequalities linked, historically, to their female gender and ethnicity. Their

extensive f‌ight against discrimination has led them to be more vulnerable

to violations of their rights. The non-international armed conf‌lict

experienced in Colombia has aggravated and magnif‌ied this pernicious

situation. In this context, the relevance of the role of indigenous women

in the construction of peace is analyzed by means of their involvement in

the Final Agreement with the FARC-EP and the current panorama at the

negotiating table with the ELN. Similarly, a large number of challenges

and threats facing this path towards total peace are exposed.

Keywords: Indigenous Women, Peacebuilding, Armed Conf‌lict,

Colombia.

1Déborah Presta Novello is a Margarita Salas postdoctoral researcher (funded by the

European Union). Her research interests have focused on peacebuilding in Colombia, as

well as the analysis of the human rights situation around the world, such as in the Near

East. Her main teaching areas have been European Union Law and Human Rights and

Gender.

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Presta / Women, Peace and Territory… / 9-48

revistaidh.org

Resumen: Las mujeres indígenas han atravesado distintos tipos de

desigualdades vinculadas, históricamente, a su género femenino y a su

etnia. Su extensa lucha contra la discriminación las ha llevado a ser más

vulnerables ante las violaciones de sus derechos. El conf‌licto armado

interno vivido en Colombia ha agravado y magnif‌icado esta perniciosa

situación. En este contexto, se analiza la relevancia del papel de la mujer

indígena en la construcción de paz, con su participación en el Acuerdo

Final con las FARC-EP y el panorama actual en la mesa de negociaciones

con el ELN. Asimismo, se exponen un gran número de retos y amenazas

a las que se enfrenta este camino hacia la paz total.

Palabras clave: Mujeres indígenas, Construcción de paz, Conf‌licto

armado, Colombia.

Recibido: 10.2.2024 Aceptado: 10.9.2024

Summary

1. Introduction

2. Violence against Indigenous Women and Discrimination Derived from

the Non-International Armed Conf‌lict in Colombia

3. Ethnic and Gender Approaches to Peacebuilding in Colombia

4. Discussion

5. Conclusions

References

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Revista Internacional de Derechos Humanos / E-ISSN 2422-7188 / 2024 Vol.14, No. 2

revistaidh.org

1. Introduction

Colombia has approximately 87 indigenous ethnic groups; half their

adult population are women. They are an essential part of the culture

and history of Colombia. The indigenous women of these dif‌ferent ethnic

groups share their struggles and strengths to keep their culture alive, and

are fundamental to their people. They have shown political and

participatory sensitivity and are increasingly advancing their leadership.

The non-international armed conf‌lict (NIAC2) (ICRC, 2008), that has

permeated Colombia for more than half a century, has been the scene of

several negotiation processes between dif‌ferent governments and illegal

armed groups. Despite the support of the international community, the

establishment of a solid and lasting peace is still a great challenge for the

country.

The most recent peace process was undertaken between the

Government of Colombia, chaired by Juan Manuel Santos, and the

Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia– People’s Army (Fuerzas

Armadas Revolucionaras de Colombia, Ejército del Pueblo, FARC-EP, by its

acronym in Spanish). These negotiations, held in Havana (Cuba),

culminated in a Final Agreement to end the conf‌lict, and build a stable

and lasting peace (hereinafter, the Peace Agreement or Final Agreement).

The Peace Agreement included a participatory approach in which

2Non-international armed conf‌lict is def‌ined as protracted armed confrontations

occurring between governmental armed forces and the forces of one or more armed

groups, or between such groups arising on the territory of a State. The armed

confrontation must reach a minimum level of intensity, and the parties involved in the

conf‌lict must show a minimum of organization.

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