Leaders trained on children’s rights

Community leaders were trained on child rights

Plan is supporting the promotion of gender and children’s rights in Colombia. Over the last two years, members of 16 communities in Atlántico and Bolivar have received training and support to create community organisations.

Through these organsiations, participants are trained on sexual and reproductive health, the rights of women and children and prevention of family violence.

Andrea, 17 years old from Bolivar became a member of one of these organisations, the Development Agent from Esperanza Viva, she says: “Ever since I became part of the organisation, I have felt good with myself because I am contributing to the development of the community where I was born.

“Those who have benefited from the project are members of the organisation and other people from the community. As a member, I have benefited from the training that contributes to my knowledge and enriches my vocabulary.

“The community and especially children and adolescents will have also benefited because we work for the development of the community and promote an open attitude that allows them to give their opinion and act as citizens with rights to participate.”

The training encourages participants to learn through practice. Once trained, they spend time with the community attending meetings, listening to their ideas and supporting the preparations of work proposals that will assist developments in their communities. 

There is an open dialogue between the recently created organisations and the local authorities through visits, meetings and local forums. 18 groups from the 16 communities have presented their plan of work called development agendas, which they share with local health, education and human right authorities.

Duvis Ballesteros León from the Development Agent from San Cayetano, in Bolívar, says; “It touches you that kids so young have problems that are so big, they say that this training has helped them a lot. I love what I do and this experience has made me grow as a person.”