Justice for Colombia’s ongoing series focuses on the important work of women activists in Colombia and the challenges they face.
Our second featured activist is trade unionist Ruby Castaño, a leader in the FENSUAGRO agricultural trade union and a human rights defender. Colombia remains the world’s deadliest country for trade unionists, with at least 20 killed between March 2020 and April 2021, according to the International Trade Union Confederation. No trade union has been more violently targeted than FENSUAGRO, which has seen around 35 members killed since Colombia’s peace agreement was signed in late 2016. However, its members continue to campaign tirelessly around the labour, human and social rights of rural communities.
In our interview with Ruby, she discusses her life as a trade unionist and human rights defender, and why Colombia is so dangerous for those who fight for a fairer society.
You can watch the first in our Spotlight on Women Activists series, an interview with human rights defender Olga Quintero, here.
