Sexual Violence Against Women Victims of the Armed Conflict in South-Western Colombia

Abstract

This article, a product of research, addresses the sexual violence committed against women in areas of armed conflict in south-western Colombia. It is based on testimonies about the attention given to women victims of the armed conflict by the Central Unit of Valle del Cauca (UCEVA). Objectives: To analyse sexual violence against women victims of the armed conflict in the departments of Cauca, Valle del Cauca, Nariño and Chocó, with a reflection on a phenomenon that has been silenced and made invisible, and which requires recognition and attention Methods: The methodological design is oriented from a socio-critical paradigmatic perspective, with a mixed research approach, and the hermeneutic method is used for the interpretation of texts and narratives, based on the analysis of semi-structured interviews. The testimonies of women who have suffered different types of sexual violence and who are in the process of post-traumatic stress rehabilitation are analysed Results: A total of 62 women were victims of crimes against their sexual integrity, of which 38 suffered rape, 11 unwanted pregnancies, 7 sexual assault and 6 sexual exploitations. Reflections are made on the problem, linking it to Sexual and Reproductive Rights. As conclusions and recommendations, the importance of implementing care and reparation plans for victims is highlighted, through psychosocial and legal guidance programmes, access to justice and guarantees of non-repetition. Conclusions: This study evidences the gravity and extent of sexual violence exercised against women victims of the armed conflict in the departments of Cauca, Valle del Cauca, Nariño and Chocó. The testimonies collected reveal that 62 women were affected by crimes against their sexual integrity, 38 of them victims of rape, 11 of unwanted pregnancies, 7 of sexual aggression and 6 of sexual exploitation. This phenomenon, often silenced and made invisible, requires urgent recognition and the implementation of concrete measures of care and reparation for the victims, with psychosocial and legal programmes that guarantee their access to justice and prevent the repetition of these acts. In addition, the need to link this problem with Sexual and Reproductive Rights is emphasised, in order to comprehensively address the situation of women affected by sexual violence in the context of the armed conflict.

Keywords

• Sexual violence, women victims of the armed conflict, rehabilitation, access to justice, sexual and reproductive rights.