International Women's Day: Mary Luz's story

Threatened. Kidnapped. Exiled. Just some of the hardships Mary Luz Avendaño has experienced - because she is a journalist.

It’s hard to imagine journalism being so dangerous, especially with the press freedom that we enjoy. But in Colombia, journalists face persecution. Many are threatened and even killed, by leftist guerrillas, right wing paramilitary groups and the national army, who have been fighting each other for fifty years.

Mary Luz works with CAFOD partner CINEP which, with your support, helps journalists expose the truth to advance Colombia’s peace process. She says:

“Often, as journalists, we don’t have the time or resources to fully investigate a story. But with CAFOD’s help, we can find answers. As part of the project I help other journalists to investigate stories and they write under a collective name to ensure their safety.”

“Being a victim of the conflict has made me more sensitive to it. I know how it feels to be caught up in the violence. I want to tell the stories of the Colombian conflict to the world. I want to be the voice of people who are too scared to speak out.”

Women have been disproportionately affected by the violence in Colombia. Women and children account for around 80 percent of the 5.2million people who have been forcibly displaced from their homes. Rape is often used as a “weapon of war” to terrorise and destabilise communities.

Mary Luz investigates human rights violations and has researched extensively into the use of rape in Colombian gang warfare. In her work she has highlighted the shame that victims of rape feel. Very few women report rape and even fewer cases are brought to justice. Mary Luz calls for action to teach communities that rape is a crime which they have a right to report and which the justice system has a duty to punish. Her work may help to curb the use of this violent method of war.

In a country where women face such fear and violence, Mary Luz is an inspiration. She is currently living in exile after receiving serious threats to her life. She had exposed the identity of drugs traffickers in Medellin and links between them and corrupt police officers. And her mission continues:

“I am motivated by helping Colombians. I am motivated by telling people the truth and seeing justice done. I am motivated by the hope that one day the conflict will end.”