We are key to climate and peace-decision making

Zarith Torres and Kelly Campo have just returned from COP30 in Belém, Brazil with a clear message: “we are key political subjects in climate and peace decision making.”  

Zarith and Kelly are with the Organización Femenina Popular (OFP), a KAIROS partner that’s based in Magdalena Medio, Colombia and has worked with women for 53 years to defend human rights and build peace in the region. The OFP continues this work today, centring the historical role that women human rights defenders have played in protecting life, land and biodiversity.  

At COP30, Zarith and Kelly had another clear message: peace is not possible without climate and gender justice. And during 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence, they remind us that gender-based violence and violence against nature are rooted in the same systems of exploitation, privilege and power. 

KAIROS has been privileged to partner with the OFP for 25 years. Today they are instigators, leaders and implementing partners of our project – Women Peacebuilders at the Nexus of Climate, Conflict and Gender.   

By Rachel Warden, Partnerships Manager