Gender-based violence: paths of resistance and healing

‘Resilient Voices: How Women in Colombia and Ecuador Face and Heal from Violence’ is the title of the event organised by SWISSAID as part of the international campaign against gender-based violence. It was held at the University of Bern on 26 November 2025 and at the Maison internationale des Associations in Geneva on 2 December 2025. 

A study commissioned by SWISSAID and conducted by the University of Bern in Boyacá and Sucre, Colombia, as well as in Tungurahua and Chimborazo, Ecuador, shows that women face structural violence deeply rooted in cultural norms of machismo and patriarchy. Women in rural areas are particularly affected: responsible for caregiving, housekeeping and small scale farming, they have limited access to paid labour and remain economically dependent on their husbands. Despite their vital role in their families and society their contributions are hardly recognised. Women are also frequently excluded from political decision-making processes and have limited opportunities to advocate for their interests.   

Dr Nathalie Aya Pastrana, founder and president of the NGO IMEK Research Centre in Cali, Colombia, presented the study. Her explanations can be found in the following video.

In order to reduce gender-based violence and better integrate women into society, SWISSAID Colombia launched the ‘“Women raise their voices and defend their rights’”project in 2024, which includes training and prevention measures. More than 11,700 women have already participated in training courses on governance and peace building which have enabled them to make their voices heard in local forums.

The project also involves men in promoting non-violent masculinity and supports survivors through gender-based violence prevention networks. In 2023, they provided assistance in 647 cases of violence.

“Thanks to SWISSAID’s projects, women have formed small groups and built increasingly large networks. These networks identify cases and help survivors gain access to health services. They engage in dialogue with mayors and demand better coordination between institutions. The women organise door-to-door campaigns in areas where the state is not present in order to raise awareness among the population and combat the trivialisation of violence,” explained Mariana Córdoba, head of the SWISSAID office in Colombia.

Christine Bigler, Thaïs In der Smitten, Mariana Córdoba und Karmen Ramirez Boscan at the panel discussion in Bern. 

The speakers described the structural violence and macho society that women in Colombia and Ecuador face, and in which they often have to learn to fend for themselves. “Resilience, a word that I both hate and love, describes how strong women are, but also how they carry on despite violence and inequality. For change to happen, society as a whole must change, including politics, mentalities, men and women,” Mariana Córdoba reminded the audience. This assessment is shared by Christine Bigler, researcher and lecturer at the Interdisciplinary Centre for Gender Studies at the University of Bern. She sees numerous reasons for this: a lack of commitment on the part of the authorities, a macho society, and a lack of interest in the fate of women. ‘However, the laws are often good and would make it possible to improve the situation. The problem lies in their application; those affected are largely unaware of them and the authorities hardly take them into account.’

Despite everything, changes are gradually emerging, particularly in men’s behaviour. “One man interviewed as part of the study reports that before he became the father of twins, he drank heavily, was violent and neglected his wife. After the birth, he had no choice but to take care of the two girls, and that was a change of consciousness for him. His behaviour has changed completely: he reports that he has stopped drinking and worked on his violent behaviour,‘ reports Christine Bigler. Mariana Córdoba concludes with a positive remark, explaining that she has witnessed the strong bonds that have developed between the women: ’Strength comes from the special bonds that women form with each other. The solidarity that develops among the women’s groups is the key to a better future for each of them individually and for society as a whole.”

Karmen Ramirez Boscan, member of the Colombian House of Representatives for Colombians living abroad and indigenous Wayuu feminist, added that survivors of violence against women may not heal, but they can draw strength from the experience of survival.

The evening was brilliantly moderated by Thaïs In der Smitten, media spokesperson and communications manager at SWISSAID, in Bern and by  Shirin Heidar, researcher and founder of GENDRO, Gender Center at the Genveva Graduate Institute,  in Geneva.