Our Heroes
Name: THE WOMEN'S ESCUELA TEAM
Project: COLECTIVO DE MUJERES PAZIFICAS
Location: CALI, COLOMBIA
For a small organisation, the Women's Escuela in Cali has incredible impact. They've been one of our Champions Projects since 2006 and we're staggered by what they've achieved in such a short time.
Let's put their work into context. The 2007 Global Peace Index ranks Colombia 116th out of 121 countries, the BBC describes it as "ravaged by a decades-long violent conflict involving outlawed armed groups, drug cartels and gross violations of human rights."
We first heard about the Colectivo de Mujeres Pazificas as an organisation of women determined to make their voice heard in any peace negotiations and promote the inclusion of women's issues on the agenda. They are dedicated, resourceful and fearless, even prepared (when it was permitted) to negotiate with female guerrillas.
Martha, Julieth and the team at the Colectivo told us about their plan to establish an Escuela, a school that would empower and educate hundreds of women from Cali and the surrounding villages in non-violent resistance.
Long term and stable Champions funding has made this possible. The impact of the school is significant. Women from all backgrounds and all walks of life come together to learn, discuss, train and -crucially - spread the message of non-violence throughout the communities they return to.
Updates from the team are always inspiring. We heard in May 2007 how 36 women - all from very deprived backgrounds - graduated from the Escuela's outreach programme in the village of Santander. Three women from the course are now standing for election in the local councils, one as mayor.
The team travel where they are needed. In November 2006 they based themselves in Buenaventura, a city experiencing fierce conflict between three armed groups. The team provided support to the community after three young women were tortured.
One woman who graduated from the Cali Escuela in 2007 commented. "I have learnt to become aware of the value of being a woman. I have learnt about the struggles and anguishes that we have had to endure and of the need to end or change the myths that oppress and discriminate us."
One long term Champion of the Escuela wrote, "I chose to support them because something I am passionate about is the education of women. I know my support means there is another girl out there with a future." The Escuela is changing perceptions, inequalities and lives in Cali.
You can be part of their back up team.
