ABSTRACT
Colombia is one of the most applauded cases of gender-responsive peacebuilding. The normative agenda for inclusive peace is heterogeneous and informed by diverse gender beliefs. In general, gender debates evolve around different (although often interconnected) primary concerns, related to colonialism, faith, and discrimination. The chapter offers a synopsis of the debates leading to the signing of the peace accord between the Colombian government and the FARC-EP, its set of over 100 gender provisions, and the first phase of implementation. The Law 1448/2011 and the National Center for Historical Memory were the most important predecessors in conceptualizing a transformative and differential approach to peace sensitive to gendered experiences of violence and resistance. The evolution of the gendered agenda for peace witnessed advances and setbacks as well as consensus and disagreement within and outside women’s and LGBT movements. For decades, this agenda was expanded or compressed accordion-like, leading to the 100 gender provisions that reflected strategic and practical gender interests, based on diverse conceptions of gender. The chapter shows that a rather-mainstream gender approach that speaks to religious worldviews became the most manifest discourse, marginalizing intersectional and non-binary critical ideas. For LGBT activists, the Colombian experience demonstrates the difficulties of pressing for maintaining both focus and inclusiveness.
