Cartagena, Colombia – Rubiela Valderrama (far right), a member of the Women’s Democracy Network (WDN), was part of a group of civil society representatives who met with United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon’s (far left) during his June visit to Colombia. The meeting highlighted the role civil society activists such as Valderrama have to play in strengthening Colombia’s commitment to gender parity.

In her remarks, Valderrama focused on the struggle for human rights in Colombia. “[The United Nations] needs to urge the state to take appropriate measures aimed at overcoming impunity and protecting human rights defenders in Colombia.”

Highlighting the obstacles women’s organizations face while advocating for gender equality, Valderrama shared her experience as the founder of Women’s Social Movement of Cartagena which works to increase women’s political participation, women’s rights education and the promotion of laws pertaining to the protection of women’s rights.

A founding member of WDN, Valderrama worked with the Network in 2008, through a sub-grant program that increased the capacity of Colombian women, to better serve their communities, draft and present public policy proposals to local government. The program was carried out through the Women’s Empowerment Network of Cartagena and Bolivar, a non-governmental organization founded by Valderrama which links 20 women’s organizations dedicated to ensuring the political rights of women.

WDN recognizes Valderrama for her tireless efforts to give a voice to the women of Colombia.