Congratulations to the OFP, KAIROS partner in Colombia, on their 50th Anniversary
Today, July 21 2022, the Organización Femenina Popular (OFP), a KAIROS Women, Peace and Security partner in Colombia, celebrates its 50th anniversary –
50 years of working with communities and grassroots women in the Magdelana Medio region to build just, sustainable and equitable peace, with a feminist face. As the OFP anniversary poster aptly reads: “For memory with a feminist face – 50 years of sowing life, territory and peace.”
For more than 20 of these years, KAIROS has partnered with the OFP. The organization has been instrumental in the development of our Women of Courage program and formative in our understanding of partnerships, solidarity and feminism.
Although KAIROS is not able to accompany the OFP in person on this historic occasion, we are present in solidarity and spirit. Rachel Warden, KAIROS Partnership Manager, has sent the following video message to the OFP in honour and appreciation of 50 years of creative, tenacious, and persistent work for peace with gender justice, and 20 years of partnership.
Spanish Transcript of video message – English translation Below
Saludos solidarios y cariñosos desde KAIROS- Canada. Mando felicitaciones y agradecimientos profundas hoy para el 50 aniversario de la OFP.
Por cincuenta años la OFP ha sido una fuerza creativa, tenaz, efectiva y feminista por los derechos humanos, por la paz, justicia y dignidad.
La OFP ha sido y sigue siendo una inspiración en Colombia, pero también al nivel internacional.
Por más que 20 años de estos 50 años KAIROS y las iglesias canadienses han tenido el privilegio de acompañar la OFP y su lucha para la defensa del vida, territorio y paz –con una cara de mujer.
Esto ha sido un privilegió y inspiración a nivel institucional, para KAIROS, pero también a un nivel personal, para mí.
La primera vez que viaje a Colombia en 2001, fuimos con un colega del comité de inter-iglesias pro DH y America Latina, a Barrancabermeja. Durante esta visita encontré a la OFP y mi hice miembro, y puedo decir honestamente que mi perspectiva y trabajo sobre human rights, paz, y feminismo fueron transformados.
También esta colaboración y acompañamiento han transformado KAIROS. Hemos aprendido tanto de la OFP en su trabajo persistente y resistente y resiliente en la defensa de la vida, la paz y territorio – con la cara de mujer. La OFP informo y jugo un papel muy importante en nuestro trabajo de incidencia en Canada por DH y paz en Colombia, y también por una política de cooperación con un enfoque sobre equidad y empoderamiento de mujer – una política con la cara de mujer
Con el liderazgo de la OFP y juntos con otros co-partes globales, organizaciones de bases con liderazgo de mujeres en Palestina, Sudan del Sur, Filipinas, y república democrática de Congo hemos desarrollado el programa – Mujeres de Coraje – Mujeres, Paz y Seguridad. Ahora estoy muy orgullosa de decir que este programa llega a miles de mujeres, victimas y sobrevivientes de violencia y estos países impactos por guerra y conflicto prolongados, ofreciéndoles servicio psicosocial y legal y empodreciendo les ser protagonistas en la defensa de paz, DH y territorio. Hoy este programa está reconocido y financiado conjuntamente por el gobierno de Canada.
Feliz cumpleaños queridas hermanas de la OFP. Ha estado un privilegio y una inspiración de estar al lado de ustedes por 20 años de esta camino histórico y transformativa.
English Translation
Greetings of loving solidarity from KAIROS- Canada. Sending a message of congratulations and deep gratitude today on the 50th anniversary of the OFP
For fifty years the OFP has been a creative, tenacious, effective and feminist force for human rights, peace, justice and dignity.
The OFP has been and continues to be an inspiration in Colombia, but also internationally.
For more than 20 years of these 50 years, KAIROS and the Canadian churches have had the privilege of accompanying the OFP in your defense of life, territory and peace – with the face of women.
This has been a privilege and inspiration at an institutional level, for KAIROS, but also at a personal level, for me.
The first time I travelled to Colombia in 2001, I went to Barrancabermeja with a colleague from the InterChurch Committee for Human Rights on Latin America. During this visit I met the OFP, and I became a member. And I can honestly say that my perspective and work on human rights, peace and feminism were transformed.
As well this collaboration and accompaniment have transformed KAIROS. We have learned so much from the OFP and your persistent, resistant, and resilient work in defense of life, peace and territory with the face of women. The OFP informed and played a very important role in our advocacy work in Canada for human rights and peace in Colombia as well as for a policy in international cooperation with a focus on equity and empowerment of women – a policy with the face of women.
With the leadership of the OFP and together with other Global partners, grassroots organization with women’s leadership in Palestine, South Sudan, Philippines and the Democratic Republic of Congo we have developed the Women of Courage – Women, Peace and Security program. Now, I am very proud to say that this program reaches thousands of women, victims and survivors of violence in these countries impacted by protracted war and conflict, offering psychosocial and legal service and empowering them to be protagonists in the defense of peace, human rights and territory. Today, this program is recognized and financed jointly by the government of Canada.
Happy birthday, dear OFP sisters. It has been a privilege and an inspiration to be at your side for 20 years of your historic and transformative journey.
