Colombia – Empowering Women Strengthens Democracy – Women in the Peace Process
Author: Womens UN Report Network
Date: October 30, 2006
Contact: Katie Elbert
Colombian Leaders Agree: Empowering
Women Strengthens Their Democracy
BOGOTÁ, COLOMBIA – While it may not rule the headlines, Colombia remains
embroiled in Latin America’s longest-running internal conflict. Peace
talks between Colombian President Álvaro Uribe and rebel groups seemed within
reach in October but many obstacles remain.
Women’s groups in Colombia are the leading advocates for
renewed peace talks and are demanding inclusion in future negotiations. At
the invitation of the National Commission for Reparation and Reconciliation
(NCRR), from November 6–11, The Initiative for Inclusive Security will
hold several workshops with policymakers, top-level government officials,
international community representatives, civil society activists, and Women
Waging Peace Network (www.InclusiveSecurity.org) members. The workshops
will aim to strengthen Colombian women’s contributions to creating a sustainable
peace. Participants will discuss the importance of including the
perspectives and expertise of women at every stage of the peace process.
The workshop will be led by
Harriet C. (Hattie) Babbitt, who has extensive international experience as
former US ambassador to the Organization of American States and former deputy
administrator of the US Agency for International Development. A fluent
Spanish speaker, Ambassador Babbitt participated in democratic initiatives in
Mexico, Colombia, Chile, Guatemala, Venezuela, Nicaragua, and Paraguay, as well
as in the Middle East and Central Europe. Ambassador Babbitt will be
joined by a team of experts from The Initiative for Inclusive Security including
Miki Jacevic, Inclusive Security’s deputy director, who has led over a dozen
trainings and consultations in post-conflict areas.
“Despite their expertise, women often play an
unrecognized role in preventing violence and resolving conflicts,” said
Ambassador Babbitt. “Women in Colombia are leading efforts to
stabilize their country—community by community. The decision makers in
government and civil society working with us recognize that there is an
opportunity for real progress, and both men and women have a stake in ending
this decades long conflict. The work of NCRR is a critical next step in
Colombia’s path to peace.”
At
the end of October, in a speech before the United Nations Security Council,
Colombian Ambassador to the United Nations Claudia Blum, praised the work
of Inclusive Security in her country, stating that their work was “highlighting
those elements that allow for the inclusion of gender perspectives in programs,
projects, and activities devoted to peace building.”
The Initiative for Inclusive Security has been working in
Colombia since 1999 and has built a strong network of women leaders. This
is the third time in 15 months Inclusive Security has organized workshops and
consultations in Colombia.
The Initiative for Inclusive Security, a program of Hunt
Alternatives Fund, advocates for the full participation of all stakeholders,
especially women, in peace processes. Creating sustainable peace is
achieved best by a diverse, citizen-driven approach. Of the many sectors
of society currently excluded from peace processes, none is larger—or more
critical to success—than women. Since 1999, Inclusive Security has
connected more than 450 women experts with over 3,000 policy shapers to
collaborate on fresh, workable solutions to long-standing conflicts across the
globe. For more information visit www.Inclusive Security.org.
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Katie Elbert
| Media Relations Officer
Hunt Alternatives Fund |
625 Mount Auburn Street | Cambridge MA 02138
office:
617.995.1925 | cell: 617.803.5755 | fax: 617.995.1982
http://www.huntalternatives.org
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Categories: Releases