Colombia
Colombia is a violent country. The peace agreement with the FARC guerrilla, signed in 2016, has despite difficulties raised hopes for real peace. In Colombia, Diakonia works for human rights, gender equality and justice in the difficult transition from war to peace.
The focus is on establishing peace through genuine, broad participation, in which people who have been exposed to violence and persecution during the protracted conflict can make their voices heard.
Gender equality
Diakonia works to counteract gender-based violence and to ensure that those who have been subjected to sexual violence during the civil war receive reparation and redress.
Peace-building
Diakonia strengthens Colombian organizations, focusing on dialogue and conflict resolution. We also work to spread knowledge about the peace agreement and what it entails.
Human rights
Diakonia collaborates especially with vulnerable groups such as LGBTQI people, Afro-Colombians, indigenous peoples and women. Colombia is one of the world’s most dangerous countries for human rights defenders. Threats, attacks and murders are common. Diakonia works in various ways to protect and strengthen human rights defenders, including presenting human rights awards every year.
For more information
Cesar Grajales, Country Director Colombia
E-mail: colombia@diakonia.se
Phone: +57 601 742 94 87
Boarding school saves children from violence
In the region of Sur de Bolivar, Colombia, forced recruitment of children and young people to armed groups has been a major problem for several generations. The Sol y Esperanza (Sun and Hope) boarding school offers the possibility of studying instead of bearing arms.
