For more than 50 years, Colombians endured the devastating realities of armed conflict. For women, girls, and persons with diverse sexual orientations, gender identities, and expressions, the war carried a uniquely heavy weight.
Armed actors routinely used sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV) as a calculated weapon of control, punishment, and domination. Communities were fractured by forced displacement, confinement, the disappearance of loved ones, and the theft of land. Daily life was defined by fear and the breakdown of community ties.
While the historic 2016 Peace Agreement was a beacon of hope, deep inequalities persisted. Rural, Indigenous, and Afro-descendant communities—particularly in areas dominated by illegal economies and weak state presence—continued to face disproportionate violence.
For survivors, seeking justice often meant stepping back into the line of fire, facing new security risks, stigma, and emotional distress.
Photo above: Women and LGBTQI+ individuals who participated in Tejiendo Dignidad. Credit: UN Women Colombia
Seeds of resistance
Yet, amid the violence, a powerful movement emerged. Women’s, Indigenous, Afro-descendant, and LGBTIQ+ organizations became vital sanctuaries for resistance and collective care. They refused to be silenced, insisting that survivors be recognized not just as victims, but as active architects of peace.
Their advocacy changed history. Colombia became a global pioneer by weaving a cross-cutting gender approach directly into its Peace Agreement and the Special Jurisdiction for Peace (JEP). The historic framework formally recognized the devastating, differentiated impacts of war on women and LGBTIQ+ individuals—and their critical role in building a sustainable peace.
Photos above and below: Women participating in Tejiendo Dignidad events. Credit UN Women Colombia
Redefining access to justice
In 2024, a new initiative launched to turn that policy into a reality: Tejiendo Dignidad (Weaving Dignity). Supported by the UN Peacebuilding Fund and implemented by , the initiative ensured that survivors have the protection, care, and support needed to safely seek justice and accountability.
Tejiendo Dignidad redefined what it meant to access the legal system. The initiative combined legal aid and mental health support with community healing. It gave women the tools to safely document their stories, submit evidence, and shape restorative justice. Through a shared network called Walking Together in Gender Litigation, over 30 lawyers, psychologists, and activists teamed up to share strategies and build a robust safety net for everyone participating.
For Margot Escobar, a rural woman and survivor from Urabá, Antioquia, the support was life-changing. Today, Margot seeks justice not only for herself but to pave the way for other women who are finally finding their voices.
Margot Escobar, Urabá, ColombiaThey opened doors for me and made me feel that I could speak up, that I could tell my truth.”
From policy to reality
The impact was measurable. The initiative has supported nearly 2,000 survivors, including women and LGBTIQ+ individuals. Through more than a dozen strategic litigation initiatives, over 740 women are currently represented before the JEP. These are not just statistics; they are hundreds of lives reclaimed and voices finally entered into the historical record.
Weaving dignity back into communities
The ultimate triumph of Tejiendo Dignidad lies in what it leaves behind. The initiative forged lasting partnerships between civil society and national institutions, while building sustainable power within local organizations. The women, who found their voices through the initiative, are now community leaders, sharing their knowledge and advocating for truth and reparations.
By weaving dignity back into their communities, they are making sure that Colombia's peace is inclusive, restorative, and built to last.
Our partners in peacebuilding in Colombia
For 20 years, the UN Secretary-General’s Peacebuilding Fund has empowered people to rebuild their communities and countries in the aftermath of conflict and crisis, working with them to build the resilience needed to prevent the recurrence of violence and secure lasting peace.
The Tejiendo Dignidad initiative is implemented by in partnership with local authorities and 13 civil society organizations in Colombia.
UN Peacebuilding initiatives are made possible by the generous contributions of Member States and the indispensable support of implementing partners, including UN agencies and local organizations.