High Representative/Vice-President Kallas has reaffirmed the European Union's commitment to supporting women's organisations as peacebuilders in Colombia, emphasising continued political and financial backing for their role in implementing the 2016 Peace Agreement. In a written answer to a parliamentary question from MEPs Irene Montero (The Left), Emma Fourreau (The Left), Marta Temido (S&D), and Ana Miranda Paz (Verts/ALE), Kallas outlined the EU's approach to monitoring and promoting gender-related policies in Colombia, including the Comprehensive Programme of Guarantees for Women Leaders and Human Rights Defenders and Law 2364 of 2024, known as the 'Women Searchers Law'. The answer signals the EU's intention to maintain pressure on Colombian authorities to ensure effective implementation with a territorial focus, while providing direct support to women's organisations to enhance their capacity to influence public policy and develop self-protection mechanisms.
The answer, dated 20 July 2026, responds to concerns raised by MEPs about challenges in implementing these laws, particularly regarding their territorial approach. Kallas stated that the EU consistently raises the need for effective protection mechanisms for women leaders and defenders in political and human rights dialogues with Colombia. The EU Delegation in Bogotá maintains regular contact with women's organisations and civil society in conflict-affected and rural areas. EU-funded projects support local women's organisations working on peacebuilding, political participation, transitional justice, prevention of gender-based violence, and protection of women defenders. These initiatives promote women's participation in developing the National Action Plan on Women, Peace and Security, monitoring the Comprehensive Programme of Guarantees, and overseeing the gender dimension of the 2016 Peace Agreement. Projects also provide legal and psychosocial support to women victims of sexual and gender-based violence to access the Special Jurisdiction for Peace, organisational and economic support to women's organisations, and strengthen self-protection mechanisms for women defenders, including those searching for the disappeared. Kallas confirmed that the EU will continue to support women's organisations through its human rights defender mechanism, ProtectDefenders.eu, and local initiatives such as the #DefendamosLavida campaign.
The answer contains concrete commitments to ongoing EU-funded projects and mechanisms, but does not announce new numerical targets, deadlines, or additional funding. It reaffirms existing policy orientations: integrating gender into EU-Colombia dialogues, supporting civil society, and linking EU aid to the implementation of Colombian laws. The response is declarative in tone, focusing on continuity rather than new initiatives. Institutional follow-up is expected through regular political dialogues and project monitoring by the EU Delegation, with no specific timeline for new measures. The EU's approach balances support for women's rights with respect for Colombian sovereignty, avoiding direct conditionality while signalling that implementation gaps will be raised in bilateral engagements.