The psychosocial component of the Victims Unit in Eje Cafetero implemented its strategy to strengthen capacities for women victims of sexual violence, as a measure of satisfaction in search of comprehensive reparation.

The Unit for Victims in the Coffee Axis led virtual meetings with women victims of sexual violence in the context of armed conflict, in order to implement “Vivificarte” strategy. In total, 72 women benefited in the departments of Caldas, Quindío and Risaralda, 24 per department throughout the month of October.

According to Laura Moreno, territorial director of the Unit in Eje Cafetero, “we provide virtual accompaniment to these women of special attention, through a dialogue that renews their strength and leaves them tools for their daily life, to continue healing the wounds left by the armed conflict, an alternative of listening, approach and dignity”.

“For us as a Unit it is vital to be able to attend to all the victims of armed conflict, but we have a special care with these women who in many cases are mothers who are heads of households, live in difficult environments and who need to be listened to through personalized attention, a process that aims to improve their quality of life both physically and mentally”, added the official.

“It really is an activity that helps one to get out of complicated situations and in which a professional orientation is needed, they are meetings in which one identifies with the stories of the other colleagues and through a common situation she manages to find ways out through exercises full of feeling and dignity”,says Andrea *, one of the beneficiaries of this initiative.

In the virtual accompaniment, five meetings take place, four through videoconference and one through telephone call. Each meeting lasts two hours and addresses issues such as the emotional state, particular needs, practices to cope with events, emotional recovery exercises, rights, and others.

The entire exercise is centered on the construction of a tree that symbolizes life itself and the moments that the victims go through, building from the very roots, the trunk, the branches and the fruits, what they harvest after finishing the strategy.

It is expected that from November these meetings can be held in person.

(End/EHB/CMC/LMY)