Women in Colombia turned murals into messages of healing and hope

“We wanted to be seen; for people to know we have a voice. We painted what we experienced from the time we were children to adulthood so the community could understand what we have lived and what we dream.”

These words, spoken by one of the women who helped paint community murals in Colombia, echo through the vibrant colors and bold shapes now adorning public walls. They are more than art—they are declarations of survival, strength, and hope.

The day started early, under a soft sun that hinted something special was about to happen. The women arrived with brushes, paints, sketches, and a contagious energy. It was not just an art activity, it was a collective act of affirmation, a way of saying “we are here” after years of silence and pain.

Led by the Red de Mujeres Pro (Network of Women Protectors) and supported by IJM Colombia, the mural initiative was part of a broader communications strategy called “Your Voice Saves.” Designed to promote access to support services for survivors of sexual and physical violence, the campaign became something deeper—a celebration of life, connection and community resilience.

The strategy, called “Your Voice Saves”, was not just about sharing information. It was designed as a living, grassroots tool built from the voices of the women themselves. They formed small teams, got trained, and went door to door across the territory, not just handing out flyers, but listening, offering support, and bringing hope. At each stop, they explained how to access protection and justice services, and most importantly, they created safe spaces where other women felt seen and supported.

Art as a bridge, a safe space and tool for dialogue

This community-based communication effort was so powerful that it sparked something bigger. “The women began asking: how can we leave a lasting mark? How can we make sure this message does not fade over time? That is when the idea of painting murals was born, a way to express, on the walls of their communities, everything they were building together”, told Diamar Urbina, Specialist in Government Affairs in Colombia.

“This was not just about communication,” said Urbina. “It was about faith, healing, and the courage to make their stories visible.” The murals would stand as visible witnesses to their healing, their fight for justice, and their commitment to change.

Painting what is lived, dreamed, and shared

Before the painting began, the women gathered in circles to share ideas, emotions and dreams. Some spoke for the first time about what they had been through. Others, helped collect the voices of those who were still finding the courage to speak. They sketched designs, chose symbols, discussed colours. Every brushstroke carried deep meaning.

One mural portrays the mythological faces of two women, crowned by a butterfly that hovers above the green mountains, the sun, and scattered houses of the region. 

Another shows three women leaders holding a net woven with love and solidarity. A third mural features the faces of local women united for a shared purpose: ending violence against women and children. 

Each mural is a tapestry of resistance and hope—faces, hands, trees, and flowers telling stories of loss, search, and reunion.

Among the participants was a woman who joined the network during a time of deep vulnerability, her home was falling apart, her family scattered. Through this process, she found a new way to live. She started by helping with logistics, then joined workshops, and eventually became a role model for others. Her face, now painted on one of the murals, along with those of other municipal leaders, is a symbol of transformation.

“It was very important to me,” she said. “We had the idea to portray women from childhood, to adolescence, to adulthood—so people could see us, know that we have a voice. All of this is because of the violence against women, the femicides. We want men and society to become aware.”

A Celebration of Community

The day also turned into a community celebration. Children, partners, and neighbours came by. Some helped paint, others brought food or drinks. There were laughs, hugs, quiet moments. Art became a bridge, a safe space, a tool for dialogue.

“We made the drawings ourselves, combined them into one, and painted it together. It was a beautiful experience. We felt strong, united, and proud,” said another participant.

By the end of the day, the murals stood as silent witnesses to a moment that will not be forgotten. But beyond the paint, what remained was the bond, the certainty that when women come together, listen to each other, and offer support, they can transform not just their lives, but their entire communities.