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Exhibition and conversation with the Quilters of Mampuj谩n at the Washington College of Law

The Academy on Human Rights and Humanitarian Law, in collaboration with Colombia鈥檚 Permanent Mission to the OAS and the Embassy of Colombia in the United States, hosted The Quilters of Mampuj谩n.

By 听|听

On October 24, 2024, the Academy on Human Rights and Humanitarian Law, in collaboration with Colombia鈥檚 Permanent Mission to the OAS and the Embassy of Colombia in the United States, hosted The Quilters of Mampuj谩n, a group of Afro-Colombian women whose dedication to community healing and peacebuilding has become an emblem of resilience and justice. This event coincides with the 24th anniversary of the landmark United Nations Security Council Resolution 1325 on Women, Peace, and Security (WPS) and follows the recent Colombia-U.S. Memorandum of Understanding, underscoring the essential role women play in peacebuilding and post-conflict reconciliation.

Official flyerMagnify Photo
Official flyer

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About the Event

The gathering opened with Welcome Remarks from:

  • Diego Rodr铆guez-Pinz贸n, Co-Director of the Academy on Human Rights and Humanitarian Law
  • Andrea Alarc贸n, Charge d鈥橝ffaires of Colombia鈥檚 Permanent Mission to the OAS
  • Andr茅s Gonz谩lez, Former Ambassador of Colombia to the OAS and Visiting Scholar-in-Residence, WCL
From left to right, Andrea Lloreda, Counselor of Foreign Relations, Embassy of Colombia to the 猫咪社区appA; Andrea Alarc贸n, Charge D鈥橝ffairs Colombia鈥檚 Permanent Mission to the OAS; Diego Rodr铆guez Pinzon, Co-Director of the Academy on Human Rights; Andr茅s Gonz谩lez, Visiting Scholar-in-Residence and Former Ambassador of Colombia to the OAS, and Adriana Buenaventura-Mart铆nez, Senior Coordinator Academy of Human Rights.
From left to right, Andrea Lloreda, Andrea Alarc贸n, Diego Rodr铆guez Pinzon, Andr茅s Gonz谩lez, and Adriana Buenaventura-Mart铆nez

This was followed by a profound Dialogue moderated by Adriana Buenaventura-Mart铆nez, Senior Coordinator at the Academy of Human Rights, with members of 鈥淟a Asociaci贸n de Mujeres Tejiendo Sue帽os y Sabores de Paz de Mampuj谩n鈥:

  • Juana Ru铆z
  • Sarai Villareal
  • Alexandra Valdez
  • Elizabeth Villareal

Their work, recognized with the 2015 National Peace Prize, was highlighted as an example of using art for community resilience, reparation, and historical memory.

Exhibition of the work of the Weavers of Mampuj谩n at the Washington College of Law
From left to right, Juana Ru铆z, Alexandra Valdez, Adriana Buenaventura-Mart铆nez, Elizabeth Villareal and Sarai Villareal.

The Closing Remarks from Ambassador Daniel Garcia-Pe帽a of Colombia celebrated the powerful legacy of The Quilters and the broader significance of the WPS agenda.

Context:

Mampuj谩n, a small village in Mar铆a La Baja, Bol铆var, lies in the Montes de Mar铆a region, a historic site of Colombia鈥檚 conflict. In March 2000, paramilitary forces committed a massacre here, displacing over 300 families and leaving the village abandoned. However, The Quilters of Mampuj谩n turned their experiences into art, using the traditional 鈥減atchwork鈥 technique to narrate their history and help heal collective wounds. Their quilts document not only the traumas of violence but also the enduring strength and solidarity of their community.

Exhibition of the work of the Quilters of Mampuj谩n at the Washington College of Law
Exhibition of the work of the Weavers of Mampuj谩n at the Washington College of Law

Their initiative has extended beyond Mampuj谩n; they lead workshops throughout Colombia, transforming grief into resilience and advocating for the rights of victims. The Quilters鈥 work, showcased nationally and internationally, serves as an enduring testament to the power of art in the fight for justice, collective memory, and peace.

Exhibition of the work of the Quilters of Mampuj谩n at the Washington College of Law
Exhibition of the work of the Quilters of Mampuj谩n at the Washington College of Law

The Academy of Human Rights and International Humanitarian Law is proud to have co-hosted this transformative dialogue with The Quilters of Mampuj谩n, whose experiences of collective healing through art and memory embody the commitment to justice and resilience that we promote. This event reinforces our mission to create spaces that honor the voices of victims and foster peace and reconciliation. We extend our gratitude to The Quilters of Mampuj谩n, the Embassy of Colombia, and all attendees for joining this enriching experience and contributing to the strengthening of historical memory and the building of a peaceful future.

This event was made possible through the collaboration of Colombia鈥檚 Permanent Mission to the OAS, the Embassy of Colombia in the United States, and the special participation of The Women Sewers of Dreams and Flavours of Peace of Mampuj谩n. Together, we honored the resilience and memory of communities impacted by conflict, highlighting the essential role of women in peacebuilding and post-conflict reconciliation.

  1. For further information on The Quilters of Mampuj谩n and their work, please visit:

  2. 1.听https://centrodememoriahistorica.gov.co/el-pueblo-que-sano-con-telares/

  3. 2.听https://www.centrodememoriahistorica.gov.co/micrositios/recorridos-por-paisajes-de-la-violencia/montes-maria-montana.html
    3.听https://rutasdelconflicto.com/pueblos-olvido/node/41
    4. Asociaci贸n Mujeres Tejiendo Sue帽os y Sabores de Paz, tambi茅n llamadas Tejedoras de Mampuj谩n:听https://artesaniasdecolombia.com.co/Documentos/Contenido/41323_tejedoras_resena_historica.pdf