Women from rural, indigenous and Afro-descendant areas suffer violence associated with the exercise of their rights

In agreement with “Gender and extractive industries in Latin America: state measures against the differentiated impacts on women”, report made by Law, Environment and Natural Resources (DAR) and Foundation for Due Process (DPLF), in Colombia, Peru, Guatemala and Honduras, countries that have developed an economic model of extraction of natural resources, They are indigenous and rural women in their community role as activists and defenders of the environment, suffering violence from men, both sentimental partners and members of the community and foreign workers, due to the installation and development of this type of extractive projects in their territories.

According to the lead researcher of the project, Cristina Blanco, violence especially against women it is caused by these actors in various contexts. For example, workers in companies settling in communities try to attack and mistreat women, even those who are in an advanced stage of pregnancy. They also engage in violence against their children and sexually abuse young women. Not to mention that they plan and carry out murders, sometimes presumably “passionate”, against the leaders of these communities. Blanco, who elaborates on the gender approach in the report, highlights a critical factor for women: choose between the affections of your family or the commitments towards the organization, which involves another reason for violence as a consequence of their choice, the aggression of their peers, who do not agree to opt for activism and the promotion of rights, and not to continue full-time with emotional relationships.

In the Colombian case, the situation is critical for women in rural areas or with ethnic or Afro-descendant ties due to the imposition of an extractivist model which, according to the report, triggers situations in which they are at risk: “… an example of legal frameworks that have increased these conflicts, the Mining Code was enacted in 2001, designed to encourage foreign private investment through the granting of concession titles without major environmental considerations. This has led to an increase in violence and serious human rights violations.“. There are 37 reported cases of socio-environmental conflicts in which women and their organizations involved in the rejection of mega-projects are ignored by the authorities, who deny the protection necessary to preserve the lives of women. On the map of this type of violence, 12 cases are related to mining projects and one to infrastructure projects, for which there is a red alert.

The foregoing in a scenario that has normalized risks of all kinds for human rights defenders. The report points out that, despite the Colombian state’s recognition of its limitations, the road is long to defend women’s lives by incorporating a gender perspective and also an effective strategy for the protection of rights. In the period from 2016 to 2018 alone, 342 defenders were murdered in work to protect the environment and the sustainable development of their communities. And there are 462 attacks by criminal organizations in 2020.

So far this year, at least 11,000 foreigners have been caught committing crimes in Colombia

One dead and two wounded leave the incursion of hooded men in Sabaletas, Buenaventura

Mónica Jaramillo was applauded in the networks for her new job