Originally published in the Fall 2006 issue of Fellowship magazine
By Ursula Miniszewski

The Association of Organized Women from Eastern Antioquia (a region in Colombia), AMOR, illustrates a unique and transformative approach in Latin America to armed struggle. AMOR’S work confines itself neither to the private, domestic sphere nor to the public, more political sphere. Rather, its mission encompasses both: first, by training and encouraging women to enter public spaces, but also second, because these women have not forgotten about the private impact of war, including the physical and emotional implications for families and communities. The women of AMOR reach across class and ethnic lines finding unity in their pain and in their sincere belief that together they can bring about a change and resolution to the raging civil conflict.

Although men have most commonly been targeted for violence, the murders, “disappearances,” and blockades are consequences of the war that have directly impacted women. Colombian women, mainly of the “peasant class,” have suffered the loss of their husbands, children, and family members; are often victims of humiliation and domination tactics; and are kidnapped, raped, and tortured by all sides of the warring factions.

The armed struggle and massive displacement also causes stress within the home, which often manifests itself through domestic violence. It is estimated that as many as 41% of women are victims of violence at the hands of their husbands or partners. Domestic violence and rape are still regarded as highly “private” matters, so there is no way of knowing how many incidents go unreported.

AMOR formed in 1994 as a politicized movement and reaction to the increasing violence and civil conflict in Colombia and is made up mostly of middle- to upper-income women. It maintains two public proposals: reconciliation and the participation of women in development plans for the region. By providing education to women in poor rural areas regarding political citizenship and positioning them to participate in local development, AMOR encourages women to move “de la Casa a la Plaza”– out of the home and into the public arena. Training involves workshops on organizational and logistical skills to learn how to be in positions of decision-making and add the perspective of gender. The women serve on councils, such as local land use, rural development, social policy, and citizen oversight committees.

“We never imagined we would be both part of the war and part of the solution,” said one woman of AMOR. “We started the movement as political, but were affected by the women who were victims of the war and wanted to help, because we have all been either direct or indirect victims of the war.”

Together with its public goals, AMOR offers comprehensive health programs and education for women with little access to resources. Topics such as sexual rights, reproductive rights, rape, teen pregnancy, single motherhood, and self-care are all addressed in its education programming. AMOR’s mental health program addresses women on a psycho/sociological level, especially those who have been victims of violence stemming directly from the civil war.

“We give psycho-social attention to women whose lives have been affected by war,” says a member. “After an armed group attacks a population, we will go and be present there and accompany them in order to convey the message that they are part of life.”

One of AMOR’s initiatives that struck me most deeply is the “hugs” project. It seems to be one of the most effective ways to directly impact women victims of war when they are in pain, and to spread that support in an incredibly grassroots and community-based way. The general objective is the protection of life, reconstruction of the social fabric, and strengthening of familial and group bonds. The women, regardless of which “side” of the conflict they fall on, are those whose children, husbands, and families have been killed, disappeared, or kidnapped – or they could be displaced. AMOR works with a team of professionals who train women leaders in 23 municipalities, who in turn organize support groups with victims. AMOR’s hope for the “hugs” program is that survivors will organize themselves and speak with their own voices about justice and reparations that are owed to them.

AMOR emphasizes that despite the conflict and war, women have not become paralyzed. Appropriately, the butterfly is its symbol. Butterflies, which have survived since the time of the dinosaurs, reflect the fragility and persistence of life during war.

Ursula Miniszewski (umini84@hotmail.com) participated in an FOR delegation to Colombia in August 2005. AMOR is one of the organizations with whom FOR works in Colombia.