In the war-torn nation of Colombia, a woman’s life can be a daily struggle, according to a human rights activist who delivered a speech at the University last week.
Civil war has disrupted the country for the past 42 years, resulting in widespread violence and poverty with seemingly no relief in sight.
Yaneth Maria Perez Benavides knows this all too well, having experienced firsthand the horrors of living in a nation devastated by war. But to her, there is hope for a better future.
Last Thursday night in the EMU’s Walnut Room, Benavides gave a presentation entitled “Women and War in Colombia” in which she spoke about her experiences growing up and living in Colombia, as well as her efforts to improve the living conditions and safety for others under similar circumstances. The Spanish-speaking woman spoke through a translator.
“That’s our situation, but we’re conscious that there is possible life with social justice,” Benavides said.
Benavides lives in the state of Arauca in eastern Colombia. She is a single mother of three children and has spent much of her life as a human rights activist. She is currently the president of the Dawn of Women for Arauca, an organization that defends the rights of impoverished women. Through her work with the group, Benavides has also taken on a number of community projects for Arauca, such as improving the quality of water and the education system.
The presentation, part of a 17-stop tour this month sponsored by the Committee in Solidarity with the Central American People, asked for American support in stopping U.S. military and financial contributions to the conflict, she said. Benavides also outlined the positive steps her organization and others like it have taken to improve life for the people of Arauca. She said the Dawn of Women for Arauca is actively working to educate and train women, stress the importance of defending rights and stop domestic violence, among other projects.
Benavides also told of the atrocities and unnecessary violence committed by both leftist guerrillas and the military-backed government. She said the right-winged military and paramilitary forces account for about 75 percent of human rights violations in Colombia, while left-winged guerrillas account for the other 25 percent. But she stressed her cause was not to take one side but to try to end the fighting altogether.
“The two sides aren’t really worried about the consequences,” Benavides said.
She said that one of the hardest things for women living in Arauca was adjusting to living on their own after losing men in the war.
“Our spouses, brothers or children have been killed, imprisoned or displaced,” she said, tears welling up in her eyes. She also said some women are raped by Colombian soldiers.
Scott Nicholson, an organizer for the Montana Human Rights Network who also served as Benavides’ interpreter during the presentation, praised the effort and hard work of Benavides and her organization.
Nicholson is also strongly against the involvement of the U.S. government, which, he said, has contributed about $3.8 billion to the Colombian military and police since 2000.
“It’s like throwing gasoline on a fire,” Nicholson said. “All it does is prolong the war and worsen it.”
Benavides is still optimistic because she has found much support for her cause, she said.
“We can build a true community in which there is love and people can live together,” Benavides said.
Benavides added that she believes “that it is possible for peoples to unite when there is work, affection and living together in order to achieve true peace,happiness and social justice.”