Women Are 'on the Front Lines' of Defending Land

Mar 8, 2019 | Barbara Fraser
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When gold miners operating illegally near her farm in southern Colombia fouled the stream where she watered her cows, Mary Alis Ramírez tried to have them evicted. Then the threats began. She took precautions, changing her schedule and taking unpredictable routes to and from her home.

But when the anonymous threats began targeting her children, she left her farm and moved to the nearest town. Life was more difficult and more expensive there. She had to pay rent, and with no garden, she had to purchase food. She finally decided to return to her home, despite the danger.