Organización Femina Popular
“In recognition of having tirelessly worked in a threatening environment to defy the force of arms and strengthen voices that are at risk of suppression, Organización Femenina Popular is hereby awarded the 2007 Per Anger Prize for its contributions to humanity and the advancement of democracy.”
Organización Femenina Popular (OFP) was founded in 1972 in Colombia. Its activities began with soup kitchens for the poor but have expanded through the years to include legal assistance, health care, media, education and support for young people. More than 3,000 women throughout the country are involved in the network. The effort is led from the city of Barrancabermeja, where over 600 women’s groups struggle against kidnappings and disappearances.
Colombia’s problems are complex. Common to all of them is that men use weapons to bypass civil society. During the organization’s time in Barrancabermeja, the city has been dominated by armed groups – first by the ELN guerrilla movement, then by the FARC, and finally by paramilitary forces starting in the late 1990s.
Despite demobilization of the paramilitary forces in 2003-2006, the rights of the civilian population are still being violated – a situation that dominates the day-today life of many Colombians.
OFP’s overall goal is to protect life and human rights. It encourages women to be more aware of gender and class, redefine their position in society and restore civil life by daily, community and independent action.
The Per Anger Prize is awarded to people and organizations that risk their own safety to defend the rights of the individual against oppression and inhumanity. Members of the organization, who face constant threats from all armed movements that participate in the civil war, have repeatedly been tortured, kidnapped or murdered.
This year’s prize winner needs the attention that an international award can raise. The award is also a reminder that Colombia’s crisis must not be forgotten.
