The Latin America round table organized by KOFF, the Swiss platform for peacebuilding, together with the Arbeitsgruppe Schweiz Kolumbien (ask!) and the Peace Brigades International Schweiz (PBI) on November 7, 2019 gave attendees the chance to get to know four dedicated women from Colombia and Honduras and talk to them about the current situation in both countries, the work and challenges of civil society organizations on site, and their demands, fears, and hopes.

In the morning, discussions focused on the (lack of) implementation of the peace agreement and the rise of violence in Colombia. Diana Luz Barrios Márceles (COLEMAD) and Yesica Blanco Lozano (Sembrandopaz), two guests from both of the partner organizations of the Swiss Semillas de Esperanza peacebuilding program, talked about their experiences in dealing with the rights of women in rural areas, compensation, and land restitution, as well as their efforts to promote dialogue and reconciliation.

The afternoon was dedicated to human rights, violence, and sexual diversity in Honduras. Esdra Sosa Sierra and Bertha Zuñiga Cáceres spoke about the effects of the difficult situation and the struggle of civil society organizations to promote the rights of the LGBTI+ community.