Profamilia presented a study on gender-based violence in Medellín, Cali, Uribia, and Dibulla, gathering input from over 8,500 people. The research shows that 58.4% of girls, boys, and adolescents experienced at least one form of violence in the last year. Accompanying the study is the 'Somos Visibles: Generaciones Sin Violencias' initiative to reach over 9,500 people by 2029.
Profamilia's study, conducted in areas with social gaps such as Medellín, Cali, Uribia, and Dibulla in La Guajira, aimed to understand the manifestations of gender-based violence and conditions for reducing it. It involved 6,333 girls, boys, and adolescents, 1,004 parents or caregivers, 212 teachers, and 960 community members.
Findings show that 58.4% of girls, boys, and adolescents reported experiencing gender-based violence in the last year, with one in four facing psychological violence. Over 60% of respondents have encountered physical or psychological violence in the family setting at some point in their lives, exceeding 50% in community environments.
Recognition remains low: only 53.9% of youth correctly identify these violences, dropping to 33.7% in rural areas of Uribia and Dibulla. Formal reports in the family context range from 6% to 14%, rarely surpassing 20% in the past twelve months, attributed to violence normalization, fear of retaliation, proximity to the aggressor, and economic dependence.
In response, Profamilia introduces 'Somos Visibles: Generaciones Sin Violencias', backed by the Canadian Government, to build capacities in schools, homes, communities, and institutions. The project will benefit over 7,000 girls, boys, and adolescents from 2026 to 2029.
"Eliminar las Violencias Basadas en Género exige intervenir donde se forman las relaciones y las normas que las sostienen. Con Somos Visibles trabajaremos con estudiantes, familias, comunidades e instituciones para cuestionar estereotipos, promover nuevas formas de relacionarnos y fortalecer la autonomía y agencia de niñas, niños y adolescentes. Nuestro objetivo es que las nuevas generaciones crezcan en entornos donde la igualdad, el respeto y la dignidad sean la base de la convivencia", stated Marta Royo, CEO of Profamilia.
For more information, visit www.profamilia.org.co or follow @profamilia.colombia.
