Lady Alejandra Vera is a lawyer, defender of women’s rights and candidate for a master’s degree in family studies from Simón Bolívar University. Ms. Vera is the founder and executive director of Corporación Mujer and co-partner of the Oriéntame Colombia Foundation. An expert in sexual and reproductive rights and a consultant on gender-based violence, she has carried out investigative actions with the Complutense University of Madrid and the National University of Colombia. 

Lady has extensive experience in coeducation and prevention of sexual violence with girls, boys and adolescents. She is proficient in the accompaniment, documentation and collective denunciation of women victims of sexual violence within the Colombian armed conflict. She actively promotes the sexual and reproductive rights of Colombian girls, women, migrants and refugees on the North Santander border. 

2023 IVLP Impact Award Project: Strategies Implemented by IVLP International Alumni Leaders Against Violence in Colombia

The project created a network of leaders to share the knowledge they acquired during their IVLP experience and the models used in the United States to prevent, call attention to, and punish violence against women. The project promoted awareness towards violence against women in Colombian society, especially in border areas, through a collaborative effort with 125 women leaders, local institutions, and civil society organizations. Activities included training workshops, educational talks, awareness campaigns, and the creation of support networks for victims of violence.

Lady Alejandra also participated in a panel discussion with other Awardees who implemented both 2022 and 2023 IIA projects as part of the IVLP Impact Awards Alumni Discussion Series panel on “Sustainable Community Impact,” which you can read more about here.

"The project has been a great tool to strengthen our work in assisting victims of violence in the borders. Better protocols and resources have been established." – Project Participant

2022 IVLP Impact Award Project: Toolbox for Challenges Faced by Women Leaders Working for the Elimination of Violence Against Women in Colombia 

This project educated 120 women leaders (in-person and virtually) in the cities of Popayán, Villavicencio, Neiva, Barranquilla and Cúcuta about social contexts, structural problems and actions in the fight against gender-based violence. Six workshops were organized across Colombia. Participants engaged in a round-table discussion where they recounted their personal experiences with gender-based violence and the lack of legal protection in the country.  Participants learned how to report acts of violence or instances where a woman could be a victim of gender-based violence. A network was created to support future action to eliminate violence against women.

IVLP Exchange Experience

Lady Alejandra participated in the IVLP Project Ending Gender-Based Violence in 2021, organized by the U.S. Department of State and Meridian International Center, in partnership with World Affairs Council of Philadelphia, International Focus, Inc., Colorado Springs World Affairs Council, GlobalJaxville and Global Ties Miami. She also participated in the IVLP Project Ending Gender-Based Violence in 2022, organized by the U.S. Department of State and FHI 360, in partnership with World Affairs Council of New Hampshire, GlobalJax and Global Ties Arizona.

Lady Alejandra's exchange experience led her to develop her IVLP Impact Award Project: "The IVLP [exchange experience] inspired [me] to continue working for the prevention of and attention to all forms of violence that are experienced, especially in border areas. Winning the [2022] award has [had] a huge impact in continuing to seek the eradication of violence in the world."

U.S. Communities Visited in 2022

Phoenix, AZ; Washington, DC; Jacksonville, FL; Manchester, NH

U.S. Communities Visited Virtually in 2021

Colorado Springs, CO; Washington, DC; Jacksonville, FL; Miami, FL; Philadelphia, PA; Raleigh, NC

“My IVLP experience was very enriching. It is so important for women leaders to be able to participate in international spaces and to make their work known. We contribute from our experience so that there is a world of rights and equality for all.” - Lady Alejandra Vera

Country: Colombia

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