Between the moves social of Colombia , those who reject racism, the movements of the LGBT community or the labor movements defending labor rights have highlighted.
Other recurring themes are human rights and the precarious situation of these, the rights of women, discrimination of sexual orientation, the situation of minorities (such as aboriginal groups), the situation of the elderly and the educational system.
Many of these movements have achieved important goals. For example, the feminist movements succeeded in Colombia Female suffrage was approved in 1954.
Likewise, the movements of the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) community made marriage between people of the same gender legalized.
Other movements have not been as successful. For example, despite the manifestations against racial discrimination, there are still certain prejudices against the Colombian Afro-descendant population. This represents a violation of human rights.
For its part, the situation of the elderly is still precarious, despite the efforts of the government to improve the living conditions of this group of the population.
List of social movements in Colombia
Movements against racism
In Colombia, various movements have been carried out in order to eliminate prejudices against the Afro-descendant population of the country. There is even a date on which the day of the Afro-Colombian (May 21 of each year).
In 2015, one of the most important actions in terms of integration and against the racism . The movement, called"The hour against racism", was held throughout the national territory and created a space for reflection and awareness regarding the inclusion of the country's black population.
For this, lectures and didactic courses were given in which information was offered on the history of Afro-descendants in Colombia, the contributions that this culture has made to the country and the social situation facing this group.
2- Movements of the LGBT community
The movements of the Colombian lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) community began in the 20th century.
However, it was not until 2005 that the government included this collective in Colombian legislation. To date, the law stated that marital unions could only be made between a man and a woman.
Thanks to the movements in favor of the visibility of the LGBT collectives, the Colombian congress modified Law 54 and established that the marital union is made between"parties". By using this term, the restrictions that existed previously are removed.
The struggle in defense of the rights of the Colombian LGBT community continues to this day. For example, in 2016 the Constitutional Court legalized marriage between persons of the same sex.
3- Labor movement
The labor movement is one of the most constant not only in Colombia, but throughout Latin America , since the workers constantly demand that a state of equity be achieved between the working class and the ruling class.
In this sense, one could say that it is a historical struggle. In fact, there are data that corroborate this statement.
For example, in 1912, the Colombian workers of the Antioquia railroad protested in order to obtain medical assistance and a more appropriate salary. This social movement was materialized with the stoppage of the machinists and the railroad stokers.
4- Feminist movements
Like the struggle of the workers, in Latin America, women's movements began in the 20th century. In Colombia, one of the first feminist protests that has been registered was in 1920, when the workers of a factory in Antioquia went on strike to get an increase in wages.
Between the 1930s and 1950s, the feminist movement was particularly active. The center of these protests was the petition for basic civil rights, such as voting. Finally, in 1954 the Colombian president Rojas Pinilla legalized women's suffrage.
5- Movements in favor of pension reform
In Colombia, various movements have been carried out that aim to produce a pension reform that offers greater benefits to the elderly.
As a result, programs have been created that protect this part of the population. Such is the case of the"Greater Colombia"project.
However, by 2017, only 23% of the country's elderly population received a pension. This figure is alarming and is expected to fall to 18% in the next decade, which would represent a much more serious social problem.
6- Movements for human rights
Colombia is one of the countries with the greatest problems in terms of the violation of human rights. For this reason, in the last decade several campaigns and protests have been carried out to make this situation visible. However, many of these have been repressed by government bodies.
7- Movements for the victims of armed conflicts
One of the most relevant movements of the 21st century is the movement for the victims of armed conflicts, people whose basic rights were violated.
These movements seek to reclaim the rights of the victims (if possible) and offer compensation to family members.
8- Movements in defense of the inhabitants of the street
Since the beginning of the 21st century, reforms have been sought in terms of the laws that protect indigent people in Colombia.
In 2012, these initiatives were finalized when the government of the country proposed a project for the benefit of the indigent.
This project planned to rehabilitate the inhabitants of the street, offer them food and access to health services and personal hygiene and prepare them so that they can be active in a labor field. All this in order to reinsert these people into society.
9- Movements in defense of the aboriginal groups
Since the arrival of the Spaniards to the American continent, the aborigines have been victims of prejudice. Stereotyped opinions make these groups be seen as savage or culturally retarded.
However, since the end of the 20th century, movements have been made to claim their rights. One of the greatest achievements in the area is the insertion of aborigines in political life.
10- Student movements
Since 2010, the social movement of students has gained visibility. These groups seek to improve the conditions of the country's educational institutions, mainly universities.
Articles of interest
Social problems of Colombia .
References
- Black social movements in contemporary Colombia. Retrieved on January 3, 2018, from base.d-p-h.info
- Colombia. Retrieved on January 3, 2018, from latinamericansocialmovements.org
- Colombia. Retrieved on January 3, 2018, from libya360.wordpress.com
- Guerrillas and social movementes in Colombia. Retrieved on January 3, 2018, from redflag.org.uk
- Human Rights in Colombia in 10 numbers. Retrieved on January 3, 2018, from amnesty.org
- Perspectives of social movements in Latin America. Retrieved on January 3, 2018, from uexternado.edu.co
- Social Movement Contention in Colombia. Retrieved on January 3, 2018, from link.springer.com