Since Colombia signed a peace agreement with the guerrilla group FARC in 2016, much has been achieved in some regions; in others, however, the population and young people in particular are being held hostage by new guerrilla groups. SWISSAID is committed to ensuring that young people can exercise their right to security and education as well as freedom of choice and movement – an important basis for genuine peace.
When you meet Yina, her positive energy and her straw hat with a wide brim, decorated with a band of bright colors that reflect the colorful Caribbean culture in the department of Sucre in Colombia, stand out. But this first impression contrasts with Yina’s story: today, she lives far away from her family and home village because she was in fear for her life there. She doesn’t reveal where she grew up – giving away too many details is dangerous. Her home village, like many other villages, is being harassed by a guerrilla force. The inhabitants are de facto trapped by a ring of mines around the village. There is no work and no education for young people. Girls are often forced into prostitution, while boys are forcibly recruited by the guerrilla army.
One murder every day
In 2016, the Colombian government concluded a peace agreement with the guerrilla organization FARC. The organization laid down its arms and became a political party. However, the state was unable to fill the resulting power vacuum. The FARC has been replaced by other guerrilla and paramilitary groups and criminal drug gangs. The number of murders has increased significantly again. In the small town of Morroa in the department of Sucre, which has only 30,000 inhabitants, one person dies every day as a result of violence. Young people, who make up half of all victims, are particularly affected by this violence.
Children from SWISSAID
At the age of 15, Yina Ortega Benitez fled her home village and made a living as a cleaner. Today, she is a social worker and representative of the youth platform “Agenda Caribe. Paz con Juventud” (Agenda Caribe. Peace with Youth), which works to strengthen the rights of youth and young adults. The youth platform is supported by SWISSAID. Its goals include education, equal rights and political participation, and shaping the peace process. Yina completed an apprenticeship and found work thanks to this project. For the committed young people on the platform, one thing is clear: “Peace is not the absence of armed conflict – peace only prevails when people once again have the right to security, education and freedom of decision and movement.”
Another aim is to help the young people process their traumas and establish a new culture of peace. “Art is very helpful here,” explains Yina.
SWISSAID will continue its work in Colombia, because peace is only possible if the local people regain their prospects.