La Ruta Pacífica de las Mujeres: repertorios simbólicos en la búsqueda de paz y reconciliación en Colombia

Abstract

This paper deals with the aesthetic and expressive forms that women’s groups have grasped in the pursuit of peace and reconciliation in Colombia. These forms are the symbolic repertoires of memory, which represent a new testimonial expression, adjusted to the continent’s new political and historical demands. Throughout this process, women’s organizations have played a central role in the pursuit of peaceful coexistence after a long-lasting conflict.Women’s organizations have developed a broad continuum of memory initiatives, represented in symbolic repertoires through art undertakings, activism and education. Quite frequently, when women that have experienced loss and pain as victims of conflict join together in resistance initiatives, they gain power and leadership within their own communities. This has allowed them to arise and become cultural agents of change, as well as promoters and trainers of new generations. Sometimes, they have even acted as speakers of their regions in political fora.This paper focuses in the work of Women’s Peaceful Route and their initiatives triggering social changes. Some testimonial symbolic repertoires developed by the Peaceful Route are analyzed. They are ways of channeling memory, rebuilding the social fabric and conveying a pedagogy of peace from a gender perspective throughout the country. It is suggested that these initiatives are encouraging social changes in terms of women’s rights and capabilities awareness in both public and private sectors, and creating the space needed to address the transition towards a culture of peace in Colombia.