The Corporación de Investigación y Acción Social y Económica (CIASE) conducts feminist research on the Colombian national political agenda, analyzing gender-responsive peacebuilding and the intersectional impacts of economic and political policies on men and women. They advocate for plurality, diversity, freedom of expression, and negotiated conflict solutions.
Increasing the Visibility of Women Peacebuilders and their Need of Protection
Funded by ICAN’s Innovative Peace Fund (IPF), CIASE is working to increase the visibility of women peacebuilders and raise awareness of the threats they face. This work complements ICAN’s She Builds Peace Campaign, in particular the protection pillar and brief: Protecting Women Peacebuilders: The Frontlines of Sustainable Peace. CIASE collaborates with Colombian and international government stakeholders to showcase the vital roles women peacebuilders play in resolving and preventing violence. CIASE seeks to institutionalize policies that ensure their protection and is preparing a report, risk indicators, and a policy document with recommendations and strategies for women peacebuilders’ safety and security.
Additionally, CIASE is launching podcasts in both Spanish and English to share inspiring stories of women peacebuilders and the challenges they encounter. By defining and legitimizing the work of women peacebuilders, CIASE aims to highlight their contributions to peace agreements, humanitarian efforts, human rights, and democracy, while also validating them as agents of change in relation to the State and the international community.
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, CIASE had to reconsider its project plans. Originally, they intended to travel within Colombia and to New York during the 20th anniversary of UNSCR 1325 to present their methodologies and findings. However, they swiftly adapted and successfully conducted virtual working sessions and presentations instead. They also repurposed their unused travel funds to support additional validation meetings and further develop their research. The work is still ongoing, and they are currently in the final stages of their research. Throughout the process, CIASE has effectively engaged various stakeholders to gain further support for their work and women peacebuilders.
“Although our foundations for action are based on the defense of human rights, the label “human rights defenders” is not enough to describe the action that we do, as we are also building bridges between different perspectives. We identify ourselves as peace builders. Although we know that the role we play in society is a very important one, it is a place that is not yet clearly characterized and is not yet recognized as substantial.”
– Rosa Emilia Salamanca, Strategic Director, CIASE