Colombian Women Are Fighting Machismo With Art—And It’s Changing Everything

On International Women’s Day, thousands of Colombian women took to the streets, demanding justice and equality. But they’re not confining their fight to marches and protests. Across the country, women and young artists are using art, film, and literature to resist machismo. They’re using it to denounce gender violence and reimagine peace.

In Cauca, one of Colombia’s most conflict-ridden regions, Corporación La Otra Escuela, in partnership with CARE Colombia, has created a space where women can tell their stories on their own terms. Through creative expression, they are challenging long-standing narratives of oppression and transforming their communities from the inside out.

Why Colombian Women Are Turning to Art for Resistance

According to CARE Colombia, violence against women in Cauca is deeply intertwined with the region’s armed conflict. The constant threat from non-state armed groups, combined with ingrained machismo, has created a dangerous environment for women and girls. Traditional forms of activism come with significant risks, making art a powerful alternative for resistance.

“The use of artistic expression as a tool to confront machismo and promote justice emerged as a creative response to the sociopolitical context of certain territories in Colombia. Specifically northern Cauca—where gender-based violence and armed conflict threaten the rights of hundreds of women and girls daily,” CARE Colombia told FIERCE.

In this context, art has become more than a medium. It is a safe, dynamic, and emotional tool for confronting power structures, shifting narratives, and fostering social change.

“The arts allow us to address complex topics in a way that promotes healing and collective reflection,” CARE Colombia explained. “It is a way for women to reclaim their voices and resist in spaces where traditional activism can be life-threatening.”

How Creative Expression Is Changing Women’s Lives

Corporación La Otra Escuela’s programs have already had a tangible impact on Colombian women and young artists. Through workshops and artistic initiatives, participants have experienced transformations on a personal, relational, and organizational level.

• On a personal level: Women have gained confidence in their voices and power. Many participants, especially young girls, have expressed that these spaces helped them speak publicly. And see their worth in ways they never had before.
• On a relational level: The work extends beyond individual growth. Women have begun to redefine how they navigate relationships, focusing on non-violent communication and collective cooperation in conflict resolution.
• On an organizational level: Many participants are now leading their own community-based initiatives. They are using artistic expression not just to process their own trauma, but also to push for political change.

One of the most significant impacts has been the recognition of women as leaders, experts, and professionals in their communities. CARE Colombia highlighted that, through these programs, women have found the space to challenge violence. They’ve also found a place to build solidarity and actively shape a more just society.

The Spark Peace Project Is Helping Fund These Initiatives

Women in Colombia are not alone in their fight. Across Latin America, young activists are using art, poetry, and performance to address conflict through the Students Rebuild Spark Peace Project. The initiative raises funds for organizations like CARE, ensuring that these creative spaces continue to thrive.

“The Spark Peace Project aims to transcend borders and bring together young people from all over the world to participate,” Sarah Fanslau, Lead at Students Rebuild, told FIERCE.

Since its launch in 2010, Students Rebuild has mobilized more than 1.3 million young people from 102 countries, raising over $12.5 million for social impact initiatives. Through creative engagement, the project gives youth a way to take action, support grassroots efforts, and see firsthand how their artistic contributions fuel real change.

“For every creative work submitted, Spark Peace donates $5 to organizations working on peacebuilding initiatives,” Fanslau explained. “So far, over 50,000 young people have participated, raising almost $800,000 of our $1 million goal.”

At the end of the project in June, Spark Peace will award an additional $50,000 to one of the participating organizations based on a global vote from young participants.

The Fight for Funding—and the Risks of Peacebuilding in Colombia

While creative resistance is powerful, sustaining these programs requires consistent financial support—something that is increasingly difficult in conflict zones like Cauca.

CARE Colombia emphasized that funding for peace initiatives is often deprioritized in favor of emergency humanitarian aid, making long-term programming uncertain.

“Due to the social complexity of Cauca, where armed conflict has intensified in recent years, security remains a constant challenge,” CARE Colombia told FIERCE.

Women leading these initiatives face harassment, threats, and even violence, as armed groups see their activism as a direct challenge to territorial control. “Young people, especially women, are often targeted—used as bargaining chips in war or forcibly recruited into illegal activities,” they added.

Despite these risks, Colombian women continue to push forward. With the support of CARE’s ‘Vení Hacé la Paz’ project, young people in Buenos Aires and Suárez, Cauca, are participating in artistic and leadership workshops focused on gender equality, peacebuilding, and political advocacy.

CARE’s goal is clear: to ensure that women’s voices shape the future of Colombia’s peace agenda.

Looking Ahead: A Vision for the Next Decade

So, what does the future hold for Colombian women using art for peace? According to CARE Colombia, their hope is that in the next five to ten years, the work they’re doing today will be fully part of local development plans and public policies.

“We envision a future where art and culture are recognized as legitimate tools for peacebuilding,” they told FIERCE. “One where women and girls see their rights fully recognized, and where they can live free from violence.”

Beyond individual transformation, the goal is systemic change. CARE Colombia believes that, through continued advocacy and artistic expression, women’s voices will not just be heard—but centered in conversations about Colombia’s future.

And with initiatives like La Otra Escuela and Spark Peace, the movement is already well underway.