Assessing Security of Land Rights Among Women in Caqueta, Colombia Using Mixed Methodologies

Interdisciplinary research methodologies in conflict settings are scarce in the literature, and research involving women in conflict settings usually involves women who have been impacted similarly by the conflict, or otherwise treats men and women together. The department of Caqueta, located in the Colombia Amazon, has been impacted by waves of migration and conflict, leading to significant internal displacement, fumigation to eradicate coca crops, and land grabbing. Women in Caqueta have been involved in different sides of the conflict, and have been victims of violence and displacement regardless of their roles. The focus group methodology developed in this research was done in conjunction with local partners in Caqueta, who had extensive experience engaging women to discuss difficult topics. The organizing team consisted of two doctoral students in forestry and sociology, both women, and local partners, coincidentally also all women. Focus group design employed methods from feminist political ecology, which aims to understand the complex relations involved in gendered environmental rights and responsibilities, gendered environmental knowledge, and gendered environmental politics and grassroots activism; however, it did so under the lens of conflict and violence. Women invited to focus groups were a diverse group of women leaders from Caqueta, consisting of Indigenous leaders, leaders on trans rights, leaders on disabled people's rights, women victims of the conflict, environmental protectors, and ex-combatants. This research aims to understand the focus group design and implementation process as an insight for upholding women’s wellbeing in conflict settings, and will examine the forms of participation women are making use of to strengthen their rights.