Rural Women in Colombia, Facing the Postconflict: A Qualitative Synthesis

Area of Science:

• Sociology
• Public Health
• Gender Studies

Background:

• The Colombian armed conflict has disproportionately affected women for over five decades.
• Understanding women's experiences is vital for reconciliation, social justice, and addressing their needs.
• Rural women's sexual and reproductive health (SRH) during conflict remains under-explored.

Purpose of the Study:

• To synthesize qualitative literature on the experiences of rural Colombian women during the armed conflict.
• To analyze the impact of the conflict on women's sexual and reproductive health and family structures.
• To explore women's roles as both victims and agents of peace.

Main Methods:

• Qualitative synthesis of peer-reviewed articles published between 2000-2019.
• Searched electronic databases for studies in Spanish and English.
• Inductive analysis of seven selected articles focusing on rural women, conflict, and SRH.

Main Results:

• Three overarching themes emerged: crumbling families, the dual role of women as peacemakers and victims, and the protection of life.
• Ten categories and 20 subcategories detailed the complex realities faced by women.
• The conflict significantly disrupted family structures and women's SRH.

Conclusions:

• The review offers a comprehensive synthesis of female victimization in the Colombian armed conflict.
• Highlights the resilience and multifaceted roles of women in conflict and peacebuilding.
• Emphasizes the need for targeted interventions to support women's needs and promote gender equality in post-conflict Colombia.