The Colombian Experience: Addressing Gender Equality and the Global Challenges of Migration

Global drivers of migration such as economic disparities, environmental degradation, and political instability do not affect men and women  equally, and exacerbate historical gender inequalities. In this address to the IIEA, Vice President Ramirez discusses Colombia’s work in promoting economic and social reconstruction strategies to strengthen female participation. She also highlights Colombia’s experience during the Venezuelan refugee crisis. Colombia has taken in over 1.8 million Venezuelan refugees, 50% of which are women, and offered them temporary protective status. Vice President Ramirez describes how, using a gender-based approach, the Colombian strategy has enabled Venezuelan refugees to contribute to Colombian society and to access healthcare and other essential services. This event is co-organised with the Embassy of Colombia in Ireland. About the Speaker: Marta-Lucía Ramírez is the first woman to be elected and serve as Deputy Head of State and Government (Vice President) in the history of Colombia. In that capacity, she has sought to improve transparency, fight corruption, achieve gender equity, improve infrastructure, and increase economic growth. In May 2021 she was appointed Minister of Foreign Affairs of Colombia. Previously, she served as Colombia’s Minister of Trade (1998), Colombian Ambassador to France (2002), Minister of Defence (2002-2003) and Senator (2006-2009). As the first and only woman to have served as Minister of Defence she created the Armed Forces’ School of Human Rights and sought to promote women in service by allowing them to reach the rank of general for the first time in Colombian history.