OFP to celebrates 50 years of sowing life, territory and peace in Colombia


On July 21, the Organización Femenina Popular (OFP), a KAIROS Women, Peace and security partner in Colombia, will celebrate its 50th anniversary. This represents an incredible history and achievement – 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. The OFP has been, is, and will continue to be a reference at a local, national and international level for gender justice, peace and human rights. 

For more than 20 of these years, KAIROS has partnered with the OFP. The organization was formative in the development of our Women of Courage program and our understanding of women, peace and security. KAIROS continues to accompany and support the OFP, as a key partner in the WPS program, in their psychosocial and legal support for grassroots women and human rights training and advocacy, and in their national and international campaigns for peace with justice and a feminist face.  The OFP anniversary poster aptly reads: “For memory with a feminist face – 50 years of sowing life, territory and peace.” The OFP describes this history as follows:

“La Organización Femenina Popular is the oldest women’s organization in Colombia, born fifty years ago from the Social Pastoral program of the Catholic Church of the Diocese of Barrancabermeja, in the Magdalena Medio region, under the theology of liberation. The OFP has had, and continues to have, impact at the regional and national levels and is recognized internationally for its work as a defender of women’s human rights and for its commitment to equitable, inclusive development and work with marginalized communities.

“In this historic journey, the OFP has lived through five stages: the first stage of origin from the years 1972 to 1984, the second stage of autonomy during the years 1984 to 1995, of resistance from 1996 to 2007, the transition stage in the years 2008 to 2011 and then that of collective reparation from 2012 to 2017.

“Today we feel, more than ever, that these 50 years are the fruit of the recognition and support of many women, who represent three generations in the organizational process of the OFP. Throughout this history we have had the support of many national and international organizations, women and men also dedicated to this commitment to life and dignity.

“As we extend a special invitation to our 50th anniversary, which will take place on Thursday, July 21 in Barrancabermeja, we reinforce our commitment to hope and to peace that is built with the voice and action of women and communities in their territories.”

To commemorate this historic moment, the OFP will be hosting:

  • A Colloquium:  For memory with a feminist face -50 years sowing life, territory and peace
  • Eucharist. Spirituality in a path of feminine struggle, Immaculate Church, Barrancabermeja

For over 20 years, KAIROS has been accompanying and supporting the work of the OFP and we will continue to do so on this historic occasion of their 50 anniversary and in the days and weeks leading up to it.


Filed in: Gender Justice/Women of Courage, Latin America

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