Priscilla Pecho Ricaldi
2023 IVLP Impact Project: Empowering Youth Activism Toward Social Justice Peru
Priscilla Pecho Ricaldi was born in the highlands of Peru. She is a social psychologist, activist for women's rights the and LGBTQI+ population. She is part of the Psychology, Culture and Gender Research Group, within which she has developed qualitative, quantitative and mixed research on issues of violence, gender, LGBTQI+ population and intersectionality. Priscilla has published articles in academic journals related to symbolic violence, psychological well-being, and feminist activism, and has developed intervention projects related to issues of gender violence, sexual and reproductive rights, and comprehensive sexual education.
Currently, Priscilla is a university professor at the Pontificia Universidad Catolica del Peru. She previously worked as a consultant for the International Organization for Migration, Hivos, and the Ministry of Women and Vulnerable Populations.
IVLP Impact Award Project: Girls for Change: Empowering Youth Activism Toward Social Justice
A series of eight workshops for youth activists from different geographic and ethnic backgrounds provided them with advocacy tools to participate and become leaders in their communities. Each workshop was led by a female leader of a women’s empowerment organization. Topics addressed included security, political advocacy, public speaking, and leadership. The participants brainstormed solutions to community issues such as gender violence, fake news, and social justice and developed strategies to advocate politically, strengthen civil society organizations, and increase the security of human rights defenders.
"Participating in this space has been healing and has given me tools to continue my activism.” - Project Participant
IVLP Exchange Experience
Priscilla participated in the IVLP Project A Global Moment in Time - Peace and Justice organized by the U.S. Department of State and Institute of International Education in partnership with WorldDenver and Global Ties Miami.
Priscilla's exchange experience led to the development of her IVLP Impact Award Project: "During my stay in Denver, where we visit[ed] some local organizations, I had the opportunity to learn how they were working to strengthen competences and abilities in young girls and women. It was inspiring to know how they are fighting for social justice in their own communities and how I can relate to those experiences."
U.S. Communities Visited
Los Angeles, CA; Washington, DC; Charleston, SC