WOMEN OF COURAGE: 2010 Colombia Tour

Learn about the Women of Courage Delegates >>

From August 15–25, 2010, KAIROS partners from Africa and Asia, as well as Canadian women representing Indigenous, migrant justice and Québécois movements, travelled toColombia as part of the KAIROS Women of Courage delegation. Delegates will visit Colombian communities that face militarization and daily violence, before joining together to participate in the Women and People's Summit of the Americas against Militarization, which is sponsored in part by KAIROS partner the Organización Femenina Popular (Popular Women’s Organization, OFP). The tour will conclude with a roundtable between delegates and local partners, including the OFP.

The Women of Courage delegation is rooted in KAIROS’ commitment to gender justice and our history of working with women’s organizations and movements on issues related to human rights, violence and impunity, particularly in areas of conflict. Women are disproportionately affected by violence and militarism; yet despite this burden, they also have especially important roles to play in helping communities and nations put an end to violence. The presence of the Women of Courage delegation in Colombia will promote awareness and understanding of the human rights situation of women in Colombia and increase our collective capacity as Canadians to respond. It will also strengthen solidarity between KAIROS’ partners and supporters; build a common analysis and agenda around women’s issues, human rights, militarization and impunity; and help shape KAIROS’ advocacy directions on gender-rights issues.

In the weeks leading up to the delegation KAIROS will join with our partners to develop discussion papers and case studies on the situation of women and the context of human rights, gender-based violence and impunity in the delegates’ home regions, as well as on the work of our partners in responding to these contexts and proposing alternatives. After the delegation, we aim to publish an educational and advocacy resource that integrates these case studies with global learnings and strategies from the Women of Courage delegation and roundtable. We also plan to develop a video resource that documents the experiences of the delegation. This delegation represents the first step in a campaign that will focus on the voices and the work of courageous women around the world.

Watch this page for updates in the weeks to come.

You can follow the Women of Courage delegation’s journey and join in the discussion by visiting our blog.

LINKS

KAIROS Canada Women of Courage Blog >>

KAIROS Partner
Organizacion Femenina Popular

Sites for International gathering (in Spanish)
- Mujeres Contra la Guerra
- Encuentro Mujeresypueblo Facebook Group
- Call to Action for the Women and People’s Summit of the Americas against Militarization

WOMEN OF COURAGE NEWS

December 6, 2011 By Nik

Geneviève, Hélène, Nathalie, the two Barbaras, the two Anne-Maries, Maud, the two Maryses, Sonia, the two Annies and Michèle These are names engraved on my heart. I was 22 on December 6th, 1989 when 14 women were killed at l'École Polytechnique de Montréal. I had no connection to any of the women who died that day, but as a woman, a feminist young woman studying at a Canadian university, it was impossible to be untouched. … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Feature 1, Reflections & Worship, Women of Courage

November 24, 2011 By Nik

16 Days of Activism Against Gender Violence

Along with women's organizations and movements, partners in Canada and around the world, KAIROS marks November 25, the International Day for Elimination of Violence against Women, with strengthened resolve and a renewed call to end violence against women, support women human rights defenders and make visible the important work of women in building just peace. We urge you to learn more about our partners' work in these areas and to support women of courage in Canada and around the world. November 25 also marks the beginning of 16 Days of Activism Against Gender Violence, a global annual campaign which aims to bring attention to gender violence and highlight the work of activists all over … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Feature 2, Women of Courage Tagged With: Nobel Women's Initiative, violence against women, Women of Courage

November 21, 2011 By Nik

"Sections of the 99% of the Canadian community that we met in the Living of Courage Tour of women human rights defenders from the Global South with First Nation and migrant women in Canada are in full support that Canadian government and mining corporations must pull out when affected communities say so. KAIROS, an ecumenical organization in Canada that works on social justice issues with partners in Global South countries including the Philippines, Congo and Sudan organized the Living Courage Tour of women human defenders across Canada from 11-28 October 2011. It served to share to the Canadian community the perils of mining to women and their communities, the sacrifice of human rights and … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Feature 2, Women of Courage Tagged With: Vernie Yocogan-Diano, violence against women, Women of Courage

October 27, 2011 By Erin

The conflict that raged in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) from 1996 to 2003 was the world’s deadliest since the Second World War. Despite an official end to the fighting, violence and insecurity still prevail in the eastern region of the DRC, primarily driven by competition to control access to valuable minerals. The exploitation of, and trade in, minerals by armed groups and the military is causing serious human rights abuses against civilians. The most shocking abuse is the prevalence of sexual violence against women and girls. … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Congo (DR), Countries of Concern, Dignity & Rights, Women of Courage

October 27, 2011 By Erin

Sudan (now consisting of the Republic of Sudan and the new Republic of South Sudan) had endured over 20 years of a civil war that brought violence, death and destruction. New hope came with the signing of the 2005 Comprehensive Peace Agreement between the government in the North and the rebels in the South. Elections and a mandated self-determination referendum led to the creation of the Republic of South Sudan (RoSS) in 2011. … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Countries of Concern, Dignity & Rights, Sudan, Women of Courage

October 27, 2011 By Erin

Long-standing economic and political crises continue to fuel internal armed conflict in the Philippines. As many as 40,000 people have been killed, mostly in the rural areas. In Mindanao, the price of war has included the death of more than 120,000 people, as well as the displacement of entire communities. Many children grow up believing that violence is an inescapable reality of life. Mothers helplessly watch their children die of preventable diseases. … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Countries of Concern, Dignity & Rights, Philippines, Women of Courage

October 24, 2011 By KAIROS

For the full version of “Honoring the Children” click here >> Executive Summary of “Honouring the Children” submitted by First Nations Child and Family Caring Society of Canada and KAIROS: Canadian Ecumenical Justice Initiatives October 2011 “For far too long the hopes and aspirations of indigenous peoples have been ignored . . .” Former UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan The Interim Report of the Canadian Government’s Standing Committee on the Status of Women states: “[C]hildren often come into the care of child and family services not for abuse, but rather because their families are unable to provide the necessities of life.” This inability is due … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Dignity & Rights, Feature 2, Indigenous Rights, Truth, Reconciliation & Equity, Women of Courage

October 20, 2011 By Nik

Canada’s responsibility in advancing women’s roles in peacebuilding and defending human rights "Women are disproportionately affected by violence and militarism; yet women bring unique perspectives and strategies in helping communities and nations put an end to violence. They work tirelessly at creating alternatives rooted in human rights, justice and peace. Regrettably, women are largely absent in peace initiatives and negotiations, which are almost exclusively dominated by men..." … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Feature 2, Women of Courage Tagged With: Women of Courage

October 13, 2011 By Nik

For Immediate Release Wednesday, October 12, 2011 (Toronto) KAIROS: Canadian Ecumenical Justice Initiatives (KAIROS) launches a tour of women human rights defenders to raise awareness about the impact of armed conflict on the lives and rights of women and girls and to make visible the violence faced by women in migrant and Indigenous communities in Canada. The tour highlights the essential role women play as peace builders. … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Congo (DR), Feature 1, Media Room, Sudan, Women of Courage Tagged With: Media Release, Women of Courage

October 11, 2011 By Nik

"Tomorrow, the Living Courage tour begins. We will all meet in Victoria, after travelling from different parts of the world: Chantal from Congo, Rebecca from Sudan, Vernie from the Philippines and Julie and I the short distance from the KAIROS office in Toronto...." … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Feature 2, Philippines, Women of Courage Tagged With: Congo, Philippines, South Sudan, Women of Courage