As negotiators for the Colombian government and the FARC rebel group iron out the final details of a potential peace accord, USIP is working with a network of 30 women mediators from a dozen regions of Colombia who are preparing to serve as catalysts for reconciliation in the aftermath of an agreement. 

USIP_COL_MAREN WICKWIRE-0275
Colombian Women Mediators Prepare to Support Peace

This 30-minute documentary highlights their work, supported by USIP in collaboration with the Universidad Autónoma de Bucaramanga, and explores their strategies for helping prevent and mediate disputes in their communities. In a post-accord period, they will put their skills to the service of preventing and mediating conflicts, especially those between ex-combatants and victims, ethnic groups, within civil society, between citizens and the government, and between citizens and corporations.

USIP began work in 2014 to connect the women and provide training, in sessions such as these filmed in Eastern Antioquia, Colombia. The U.S. Agency for International Development helped fund the project in 2015. Art Works Projects produced the film.


Mujeres Mediadoras de Colombia se preparan para apoyar paz

Mientras los negociadores del gobierno colombiano y el grupo armado, FARC, resuelven los últimos detalles de un posible acuerdo de paz, una red de 30 mujeres mediadoras de 12 regiones de Colombia se están preparando para servir como catalizadores para la reconciliación en las secuelas de un acuerdo. Este documental de 30 minutos destaca su trabajo, con el apoyo de USIP en colaboración con la Universidad Autónoma de Bucaramanga (UNAB).  Explora las estrategias que las mujeres usan en sus mediaciones.  En una etapa post-Acuerdo, pondrán sus capacidades al servicio de la prevención y mediación de las disputas, como las que pueden surgir entre los ex combatientes y las víctimas, entre grupos étnicos, dentro de la sociedad civil, y entre los ciudadanos y el gobierno.

USIP lanzó el proyecto en el 2014 para conectar las mujeres y ofrecer oportunidades de capacitación en sesiones como la observada en el video. Aquí se observa las sesiones filmadas en el Oriente Antioqueño, Colombia. La Agencia de EE.UU. para el Desarrollo Internacional ayudó a financiar el proyecto en el 2015. El documento fue producido por Art Works Projects.

Related Publications

Steve Hege on Restorative Justice and Colombia’s Search for Missing Persons

Steve Hege on Restorative Justice and Colombia’s Search for Missing Persons

Monday, October 21, 2024

More than 100,000 Colombians have been forcibly disappeared over the last six decades. Finding their remains is “tremendously healing” and can “repair the social fabric” by giving closure to the victims’ loved ones and allowing former armed actors “to regain their own dignity” by contributing to the process, says USIP’s Steve Hege.

Type: Podcast

Cartographie du chemin de la justice en Haïti : Leçons de la Colombie et du Guatemala

Cartographie du chemin de la justice en Haïti : Leçons de la Colombie et du Guatemala

Wednesday, July 10, 2024

Le nouveau gouvernement intérimaire d'Haïti fait face à des défis immenses, mais aucun n'est aussi urgent que de briser l'emprise des gangs sur la capitale du pays, Port-au-Prince. La force seule ne suffira pas à apporter la paix, même avec l'arrivée de la mission multinationale de soutien à la sécurité dirigée par le Kenya, de taille modeste. Le pays a plutôt besoin de mécanismes créatifs et globaux impliquant toute la société — et non seulement l'ensemble du gouvernement — pour détourner les membres des gangs du crime et de la violence dans le cadre d'une stratégie globale de lutte contre les gangs.

Type: Analysis

Justice, Security & Rule of LawReconciliation

Mapping Haiti’s Road Toward Justice: Lessons from Colombia and Guatemala

Mapping Haiti’s Road Toward Justice: Lessons from Colombia and Guatemala

Wednesday, July 10, 2024

Haiti’s new interim government faces immense challenges, but none are as urgent as breaking the stranglehold that gangs have over the country’s capital, Port au Prince. Force alone will not bring peace, even with the arrival of the modestly-sized and Kenyan-led multinational security support mission. The country instead requires creative, whole-of-society — not just whole-of-government — mechanisms to divert gang members from crime and violence as part of a comprehensive counter-gang strategy.

Type: Analysis

Justice, Security & Rule of LawReconciliation

China-Colombia Relations are Growing, if Slowly

China-Colombia Relations are Growing, if Slowly

Wednesday, November 15, 2023

Colombian President Gustavo Petro’s visit to Beijing in October amounted to a notable — if quite small — step forward for China and Colombia, building on growing trade and other ties, while also laying the groundwork for cooperation on issues, such as media and security, which China has promoted across the region.

Type: Analysis

Global Policy

View All Publications