Verdad y Derecho

Revista Arbitrada de Ciencias Jurídicas y Sociales

Vol. 3(2), 14-25, 2024

https://doi.org/10.62574/qz16wf04

Impact of public policies on gender equity in Colombia

Impacto de las políticas públicas en la equidad de género en Colombia

Julia Rojas-Rodriguez

julia.rojas@usa.edu.co

Universidad Sergio Arboleda, Santa Marta, Magdalena, Colombia

https://orcid.org/0009-0006-4739-1709

ABSTRACT

The aim of this study is to analyse the impact of public policies on gender equality in Colombia.

The research adopted a documentary research design, focusing on the critical and systematic

analysis of bibliographical sources. The population of analysis is composed of 16 scientific articles

that examine the implementation and impact of public gender policies in Colombia. Policies

against gender violence advance normatively, but their implementation is compromised by a lack

of resources and cultural practices that perpetuate inequality. Media coverage of femicide makes

these problems visible, but needs to be supported by intersectional analysis and policies that

address diverse inequalities, including economic inequality. advancing gender equity in Colombia

requires an intersectional, participatory and institutionally consolidated approach, with sufficient

resources, community participation and robust monitoring and evaluation mechanisms.

Descriptors: womens rights; womens participation; human rights. (Source: UNESCO Thesaurus).

RESUMEN

El presente estudio tiene por objetivo analizar el impacto de las políticas públicas

en la equidad de género en Colombia. La investigación adoptó un diseño de

investigación documental, centrado en el análisis crítico y sistemático de fuentes

bibliográficas. La población de análisis se compone de 16 articulos científicos

que examinan la implementación y el impacto de las políticas públicas de género

en Colombia. Las políticas contra la violencia de género avanzan

normativamente, pero su aplicación se ve comprometida por la falta de recursos

y prácticas culturales que perpetúan la desigualdad. La cobertura mediática del

feminicidio visibiliza estos problemas, pero requiere apoyo de un análisis

interseccional y políticas que aborden diversas desigualdades, incluida la

económica. avanzar en la equidad de género en Colombia requiere un enfoque

interseccional, participativo e institucionalmente consolidado, con recursos

suficientes, participación de las comunidades y mecanismos robustos de

monitoreo y evaluación.

Descriptores: derechos de la mujer; participación de la mujer; derechos

humanos. (Fuente: Tesauro UNESCO).

Received: 09/02/2024. Revised: 15/02/2024. Approved: 16/03/2024. Published: 01/05/2024.

Research articles section

Verdad y Derecho

Revista Arbitrada de Ciencias Jurídicas y Sociales

Vol. 3(2), 14-25, 2024

Impacto de las políticas públicas en la equidad de género: Estudio de caso en Colombia

Impact of public policies on gender equity: A case study in Colombia

Julia Rojas-Rodríguez

INTRODUCTION

The impact of public policies on gender equality has been a central issue in the

social and economic development of several nations, including Colombia. This

study focuses on the effectiveness of policies implemented in Colombia to

promote gender equality and analyses their implications in different areas of

Colombian women's lives.

In Colombia, the implementation of public gender policies has had a significant

trajectory. The policy "Women Builders of Peace and Development" (2002-2010)

is an emblematic example of these efforts, standing out for both its achievements

and its limitations. According to (Bernal-Olarte et al. 2022), this public policy

sought to empower women in peace processes, although it faced critical

challenges in its implementation and scope.

On the other hand, equal justice policies have addressed violence against women

in Colombia, pointing out that, despite legislative advances, significant obstacles

persist that impede the full realisation of women's rights (Castro-Herrera &

Jaramillo-Marín, 2018). It also highlights the importance of media coverage in the

visibility of femicides, showing how the journalistic narrative can influence public

perception and the effectiveness of gender policies (Flores, 2017).

Public policies in Bogotá have been the subject of detailed analysis, identifying

both successes and failures in the implementation of programmes aimed at

promoting gender equity (Fuentes-Vásquez, 2007; Muñoz-Eraso & Barón-Mesa,

2017). Furthermore, Law 1448 and its gender approach underline the need to

integrate gender perspectives more effectively in reparation policies for victims of

the armed conflict (García-Salazar & Cotes-Cantillo, 2019).

At a comparative level, gender inequality in the context of economic liberalisation

in Colombia, Thailand and South Africa highlights the differences and similarities

Verdad y Derecho

Revista Arbitrada de Ciencias Jurídicas y Sociales

Vol. 3(2), 14-25, 2024

Impacto de las políticas públicas en la equidad de género: Estudio de caso en Colombia

Impact of public policies on gender equity: A case study in Colombia

Julia Rojas-Rodríguez

in gender equality policies and their impact on society (García-Pinzón & Ruiz-

Morato, 2016). Similarly, the development of a gender equitable participation

index assesses progress in Colombia (Panu & Martínez-Usarralde, 2023).

On the other hand, recent studies explore evidentiary controversies in cases of

femicide (Luna-Salas, Arrieta-Morales, & Cano-Andrade, 2023), and propose an

intersectional approach to gender mainstreaming in Colombia (Miranda-Montero,

Anctil-Avoine, & Hankivsky, 2020). The intertwining of gender, sexuality, social

class and race in the anti-drug policy "Ruta Futuro" has also been investigated

(Rodríguez-Díaz & Guerrero-Valencia, 2023), as well as the impact of the armed

conflict on women victims of sexual violence (Rojas-Rodríguez, 2024).

Likewise, research on sexist beliefs and attitudes of gender-based violence

among university students (Saldarriaga-Genes et al., 2021) and the

epidemiological perspective of gender-based violence in Colombia (Serna-

Trejos, 2023) provide a broad overview of the persistent challenges in the

struggle for gender equity.

Accordingly, this study aims to analyse the impact of public policies on gender

equality in Colombia.

METHOD

The research adopted a documentary research design, focusing on the critical

and systematic analysis of bibliographical sources based on scientific articles.

The desk research allowed for a literature review scrutinised through a Google

search engine, including academic publications.

The analysis population consists of 16 scientific articles that examine the

implementation and impact of gender policies in Colombia. These sources

include critical analyses of specific policies, case studies on the media visibility

of gender-based violence, evaluations of policy implementation in cities such as

Bogotá, and comparative analyses of gender inequality in contexts of economic

liberalisation.

Verdad y Derecho

Revista Arbitrada de Ciencias Jurídicas y Sociales

Vol. 3(2), 14-25, 2024

Impacto de las políticas públicas en la equidad de género: Estudio de caso en Colombia

Impact of public policies on gender equity: A case study in Colombia

Julia Rojas-Rodríguez

Procedure

Selection of sources: A literature search was carried out in the Google search

engine, scientific articles relevant to the researched topic and published in the

last 20 years were selected to ensure a historical and updated perspective, these

documents were found in databases such as: Scielo, Scopus, Redalyc, Latindex

2.0, Web of Science.

Scientific articles were included that:

a) Analyse or evaluate public policies on gender in Colombia.

b) Present empirical data on gender equity in the Colombian context.

c) Offer a critical approach to the implementation and outcomes of gender

policies.

d) The study was to be carried out in Colombia.

Papers that did not meet the above criteria were excluded.

The selected documents were subjected to a content analysis using thematic

coding techniques. Recurrent themes and patterns in the implementation and

outcomes of gender policies were identified and coded.

All ethical regulations related to documentary research were complied with. All

sources used were properly cited and the integrity and accuracy of data

interpretation was guaranteed. Furthermore, copyright was respected and

standards of academic rigour were ensured throughout the research process.

ANALYSIS OF THE RESULTS

This study aims to analyse the impact of public policies on gender equality in

Colombia. Through documentary analysis of various sources, key patterns and

trends in the implementation and effectiveness of these policies have been

identified:

Implementation and historical context

Verdad y Derecho

Revista Arbitrada de Ciencias Jurídicas y Sociales

Vol. 3(2), 14-25, 2024

Impacto de las políticas públicas en la equidad de género: Estudio de caso en Colombia

Impact of public policies on gender equity: A case study in Colombia

Julia Rojas-Rodríguez

The implementation of gender policies in Colombia has shown both significant

progress and persistent challenges. The policy "Women Builders of Peace and

Development" (2002-2010), for example, sought to empower women in peace

processes, highlighting the importance of their participation. However, it has been

documented that the effectiveness of this policy was limited by institutional and

social obstacles, reflecting partial and uneven implementation (Bernal-Olarte et

al. 2022).

Justice and equity

In the area of justice and equity, policies to address violence against women have

been critical. Despite legislative advances, such as Law 1257 of 2008, significant

barriers persist in the effective implementation of these regulations. Barriers

include insufficient adequate resources and cultural resistance to gender equality,

which perpetuates gender-based violence and limits protection and justice for

victims (Castro-Herrera & Jaramillo-Marín, 2018).

Visibility and media

The role of the media in the visibility of gender issues has been the subject of

critical analysis. The journalistic coverage of femicide in Barranquilla reveals how

media coverage can influence public perception and the effectiveness of policies.

The visibility of these cases is essential to raise awareness and promote changes

in public policies (Flores, 2017).

Economic inequality and gender

Gender inequality in the context of economic liberalisation has also been a

recurring theme. Comparing the situation in Colombia with Thailand and South

Africa, it is concluded that economic liberalisation has exacerbated gender

inequalities. Economic policies that do not consider gender-differentiated impacts

tend to perpetuate inequality, disproportionately affecting women (García-Pinzón

& Ruiz-Morato, 2016).

Specific policy analysis

Verdad y Derecho

Revista Arbitrada de Ciencias Jurídicas y Sociales

Vol. 3(2), 14-25, 2024

Impacto de las políticas públicas en la equidad de género: Estudio de caso en Colombia

Impact of public policies on gender equity: A case study in Colombia

Julia Rojas-Rodríguez

Law 1448 of 2011, which addresses comprehensive reparation for victims of the

armed conflict, includes a gender approach that has been critically evaluated.

Although the law represents a significant advance, its implementation faces

challenges that limit its impact, such as the lack of adequate training of personnel

in charge and insufficient resources (García-Salazar & Cotes-Cantillo, 2019).

Critical evaluations

Critical evaluations of gender policies in Bogotá have identified both successes

and shortcomings. While significant efforts have been made to promote gender

equity, lack of policy coherence and continuity, as well as institutional resistance,

have hindered their success (Fuentes-Vásquez, 2007; Muñoz-Eraso & Barón-

Mesa, 2017).

Evidentiary disputes and femicide

Analysis of the evidentiary controversies associated with the crime of femicide

highlights the need to improve investigative and judicial capacities to ensure

justice in these cases. The lack of adequate evidence and inefficiency in evidence

collection continue to be significant obstacles (Luna-Salas, Arrieta-Morales, &

Cano-Andrade, 2023).

Gender mainstreaming

An intersectional approach to gender mainstreaming in Colombian public policies

is proposed. This approach seeks to integrate multiple dimensions of identity,

such as race, class and sexuality, to more effectively address gender inequalities

(Miranda-Montero et al. 2020).

Comparative perspectives

The development of a Gender Equal Participation Index to compare progress in

Colombia highlights areas where progress has been made and those where

significant gaps persist (Panu & Martínez-Usarralde, 2023).

Verdad y Derecho

Revista Arbitrada de Ciencias Jurídicas y Sociales

Vol. 3(2), 14-25, 2024

Impacto de las políticas públicas en la equidad de género: Estudio de caso en Colombia

Impact of public policies on gender equity: A case study in Colombia

Julia Rojas-Rodríguez

Documentary analytical summary

The documentary analysis conducted in this study reveals that, although

Colombia has made progress in implementing public policies for gender equality,

numerous challenges persist that limit their effectiveness. Institutional barriers,

cultural resistance and lack of adequate resources are recurrent factors that need

to be addressed to achieve true gender equality. The findings of this study

underline the importance of a comprehensive and sustained approach to the

formulation and implementation of public policies that promote gender equality in

Colombia.

Theoretical proposal to overcome the weaknesses in the implementation of

public gender policies in Colombia.

A comprehensive analysis of public gender policies in Colombia has revealed

both significant advances and persistent challenges in promoting gender equality.

Institutional barriers, cultural resistance and insufficient resources have limited

the effectiveness of these policies, preventing true gender equity. This theoretical

proposition offers a conceptual framework for overcoming these weaknesses,

based on findings documented in previous studies.

To effectively address the weaknesses identified, a multidimensional approach is

proposed that integrates intersectional perspectives and participatory

approaches in the formulation and implementation of public policies. This

framework is based on three main pillars: intersectional integration, community

participation and institutional strengthening.

Intersectional integration

Intersectionality is essential to address the multiple dimensions of identity that

affect gender equity. The proposal includes:

a) Mandatory intersectional analysis: Any public policy on gender must

include an intersectional analysis that considers factors such as race,

Verdad y Derecho

Revista Arbitrada de Ciencias Jurídicas y Sociales

Vol. 3(2), 14-25, 2024

Impacto de las políticas públicas en la equidad de género: Estudio de caso en Colombia

Impact of public policies on gender equity: A case study in Colombia

Julia Rojas-Rodríguez

class, sexual orientation and disability. This analysis should be a

requirement at the policy formulation stage.

b) Intersectionality training: Implement mandatory training programmes for

public officials and policy implementers focused on understanding and

applying intersectionality.

Community participation

The inclusion of affected communities in the policy formulation and evaluation

process is crucial. It is proposed:

a) Community advisory councils: Establish advisory councils composed of

representatives from diverse communities, including women's groups,

ethnic minorities and LGBTIQ+ organisations, to actively participate in

policy formulation and evaluation.

b) Feedback mechanisms: Develop accessible platforms for ongoing

community feedback on the implementation of gender policies, allowing

for timely and relevant adjustments based on the experiences of those

affected.

Institutional strengthening

To overcome institutional barriers and improve policy implementation, robust

institution building is required. The proposal includes:

a) Dedicated resource allocation: Ensure a dedicated and sufficient financial

resource allocation for the implementation of gender policies, monitored

by an independent entity to ensure transparency and effectiveness.

b) Capacity building: Implement ongoing capacity building programmes for

policy implementation staff, focusing on gender equality and social justice

practices.

c) Independent monitoring and evaluation: Establish independent bodies for

monitoring and evaluation of public gender policies, ensuring objective

review and accountability.

Verdad y Derecho

Revista Arbitrada de Ciencias Jurídicas y Sociales

Vol. 3(2), 14-25, 2024

Impacto de las políticas públicas en la equidad de género: Estudio de caso en Colombia

Impact of public policies on gender equity: A case study in Colombia

Julia Rojas-Rodríguez

Implementation Proposal

To operationalise this theoretical framework, the following roadmap is

recommended:

a) Legislative review: Review and amend existing legislation to include

requirements for intersectional analysis and community participation.

b) Training and awareness-raising: Develop and implement training and

awareness-raising programmes at the national level, ensuring that all

stakeholders understand and apply intersectional and participatory

principles.

c) Structuring advisory councils: Formalise the creation of community

advisory councils at local, regional and national levels, integrating their

recommendations into the policy-making process.

d) Resource allocation and monitoring: Ensure the allocation of specific and

sufficient resources, with monitoring mechanisms to ensure their effective

and transparent use.

e) Continuous monitoring and evaluation: Establish a robust system of

independent monitoring and evaluation to continuously review the

implementation and effectiveness of gender policies.

The implementation of an intersectional, participatory and institutionally

consolidated approach promises to overcome the weaknesses identified in public

gender policies in Colombia. This theoretical proposal not only seeks to improve

the effectiveness of existing policies, but also to foster a more inclusive and

equitable environment for all people, regardless of gender, race, class or other

intersectional identities.

CONCLUSIONS

Policies against gender-based violence are advancing normatively, but their

implementation is compromised by a lack of resources and cultural practices that

perpetuate inequality. Media coverage of femicide makes these problems visible,

but requires support from an intersectional analysis and policies that address

Verdad y Derecho

Revista Arbitrada de Ciencias Jurídicas y Sociales

Vol. 3(2), 14-25, 2024

Impacto de las políticas públicas en la equidad de género: Estudio de caso en Colombia

Impact of public policies on gender equity: A case study in Colombia

Julia Rojas-Rodríguez

various inequalities, including economic inequality. Advancing gender equality in

Colombia requires an intersectional, participatory and institutionally consolidated

approach, with sufficient resources, community participation and robust

monitoring and evaluation mechanisms. Only with a comprehensive commitment

will it be possible to overcome current weaknesses and promote gender equality

in the country.

FUNDING

Non-monetary

CONFLICT OF INTEREST

There is no conflict of interest with persons or institutions involved in research.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

To the women who fight for the defence of their human rights.

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Impact of public policies on gender equity: A case study in Colombia  
Julia Rojas-Rodríguez 
 
 
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Revista Arbitrada de Ciencias Jurídicas y Sociales

Vol. 3(2), 14-25, 2024

Impacto de las políticas públicas en la equidad de género: Estudio de caso en Colombia

Impact of public policies on gender equity: A case study in Colombia

Julia Rojas-Rodríguez

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