A group of women survivors of the armed conflict and head of household in Norte de Santander, leads the initiative.

With the Strategy, Entrelazando, the Victims Unit, promoted the formation of the organization and the formulation of the project "Fish of the Catatumbo", which was given as a measure of collective reparation for the municipality of Tibú, and what Biofloc technology uses, a fish geomembrane breeding system.

Without knowing the techniques, tools and mechanisms used for fish production, a group of women survivors of armed conflict in this town of Norte de Santander, decided to undertake a project that will frame resilience and empowerment amid the effects caused by the armed conflict.

"The Unit socialized us the call of the Ministry of Labor for productive projects and we began to make an evaluation of commercialization and sale and we chose fish for commercialization", said the Coordinator of the Corporation, Adriana Hernández. In this way, the Catatumbo Youth for Peace Corporation was born that concentrates 21 families of which 90% are female heads of household and 98% are victims of armed conflict.

The director of the Victims Unit in Norte de Santander and Arauca, Alicia María Rojas Pérez, highlighted the work of this group of women: “They are survivors of armed conflict that are resurfacing who were assisted and accompanied with our psycho social and social processes and integral repair, today the Catatumbo corporation, is a sign of change and peacebuilding agents”.

“We are using a new, innovative technology that is Biofloc. We had to learn to start a motor pump, for a woman it is super difficult, engage, ensure that the hose does not run out, all that we have learned each of the women, overcoming physical, cultural and economic barriers has been our challenge daily”, said Hernández.

He added that "today I can say that the women of Catatumbo fish feel much more empowered with a much higher self-esteem, thanks to the accompaniment we have received constantly, we can say today that we feel productive".

The corporation was one of the 10 associations selected by the Chamber of Commerce of Cúcuta and RET International to be benefited with a business training that will allow them to strengthen, know and expand their products in markets with different commercial techniques. In addition, they will participate in a scheduled business fair March 26-28 called "I buy in my land".

(End/CEG/DFM/LMY)