Governor Dilian Francisca Toro of Valle del Cauca received two awards for her leadership in social development and women's rights. The honors highlight progress in poverty reduction and female empowerment. The ceremony took place in Cali on March 9, 2026.
Governor Dilian Francisca Toro of Valle del Cauca was honored with two distinctions highlighting her management in social development and the defense of women's rights in the department.
The first award, the Development and Social Impact Award, was presented by the Social Organization for Business Management in a ceremony exalting Vallecaucano leadership. This recognition underscores a life dedicated to community service and the promotion of initiatives in health, education, equity, and social development. The distinction was received by social manager Jimena Toro, who emphasized recent advances. According to her, multidimensional poverty decreased from 15.7% in 2015 to nearly 6% currently. “That means thousands of families have managed to improve their living conditions in education, housing, employment, and access to basic services,” stated Jimena Toro.
Additionally, Valle del Cauca rose from seventh to third place in the Departmental Competitiveness Index, establishing itself as one of the territories with the best economic performance in the country. Giovanni Peña Paz, director of the organization, praised the governor's ability to interact with social leaders, entrepreneurs, and grassroots organizations. “For that great management and that capacity to work with communities, the committee decided to deliver this recognition with all the affection and honor to Governor Dilian Francisca Toro,” he expressed.
The second recognition was granted at the Expo Mujer 360 Grados event, which brings together female leaders and entrepreneurs to strengthen female empowerment. There, Toro was highlighted for promoting public policies that guarantee women's rights and those of vulnerable populations. The governor explained that the administration focuses on preventing violence against women through three main axes: education, strengthening self-esteem, and empowerment in social, sexual, economic, and political rights. The Governorship participated with Equality Managers, who socialized care routes for victims of gender-based violence and promoted economic autonomy initiatives.
