National Land Coalition COLOMBIA

Who

The National Land Coalition (NLC) of Colombia is the ILC-sponsored multi-stakeholder platform operating in the country. It brings together six ILC members while also working with governmental bodies. It is led by Centro de Investigación y Educación Popular (People’s Research and Education Centre – CINEP), that works to promote an equitable and sustainable world, focusing its research on conflicts, human rights, public policy, social movements, poverty and development and more. Solidarity values, peace and inclusivity are seen as the basis of State-building processes.

Context

In Colombia, rural women face systemic marginalisation, limited access to land and gender-based violence, which hinders their ability to participate fully in land governance. The Coalition of Women of the Caribbean for Land and Territory -- supported by NLC Colombia -- along with allied organizations, launched an initiative to promote gender equity by engaging men in discussions about masculinity, land rights, and non-violence.

Key Actions and Impact

As part of the Stand for Her Land (S4HL) Colombia campaign, the Coalition developed the "Ajá y ¿por qué no?" strategy, a communication and community education initiative aimed at promoting non-violent masculinities. This initiative fosters dialogue among men—partners, fathers and community leaders—to challenge patriarchal norms and advocate for women's land rights. It consists of community dialogues, organisational conversations and visibility actions, supported by a five-episode radio series and a political-methodological handbook co-created with Coalition’s women.

The radio series addresses key topics such as caregiving, fatherhood, women’s land rights, water management and female participation in governance. By integrating these themes, the initiative challenges deep-rooted gender norms and highlights the structural inequalities that perpetuate violence against women.

Thus far, over 40 men across five communities in Montes de María, Canal del Dique and Córdoba have engaged in these dialogues. In parallel, the Coalition is facilitating further community discussions in key municipalities to deepen the impact of the initiative. The strategy also extends its influence at the national level, engaging officials from Colombia’s National Land Agency and local government units in discussions about non-violent masculinities and gender equity in land governance.

Challenges

One of the primary challenges was engaging men in the process without resistance or tokenistic participation. It was difficult to encourage meaningful discussions without the risk of reinforcing patriarchal attitudes. Additionally, facilitators faced opposition in some community dialogues, where traditional gender norms clashed with the initiative’s objectives. The production process itself became an educational journey, as securing male participants for the radio series required careful negotiation. The Coalition also had to ensure that these dialogues did not increase risks for women, given the existing threats they face in their territories.

Innovative Approaches

The initiative stands out for bridging gender justice with land rights activism through a multimedia approach, combining traditional radio storytelling with modern digital platforms like streaming services, websites and social media. It also fosters intergenerational collaboration, integrating the perspectives of older leaders with the fresh activism of younger generations. By engaging men as allies without confrontation, it ensures a sustainable community-driven approach to social change.