Aracataca,
Colombia

Turning Policy into Practice

At the outset, community members pointed to the importance of Colombia’s Law 1620 of 2013, which created the National System of School Coexistence and promotes a safe, inclusive and rights-based school environment.

The law requires every school to adopt a Manual de Convivencia (coexistence manual), which provides the school with a framework for addressing issues such as violence, bullying, gender identity, sexual health, and early pregnancy.

Educators in Aracataca told us that Law 1620 gave them the legitimacy and obligation to incorporate sexuality education into school life—moving conversations from the margins into official curricula and school policies.

For instance, one teacher highlighted an incident at school when a young boy blew up a condom like a balloon to tease other students. With the backing of Law 1620, the teacher was able to turn that moment into a learning opportunity. She could immediately start teaching the entire class about condoms and their significance. 

However, the community members we spoke with also made it clear that laws alone are not enough. Implementation depends on consistent local leadership, political will, and family engagement to make rights real in daily life. In Aracataca, the difference was that educators and parents embraced the law as a tool for dialogue and protection, not just as a bureaucratic requirement.

A Community Success Story: The Valiente Program

Building on Law 1620, the Valiente (brave) program turned policy into action. Led by Profamilia and the Embassy of Canada in Colombia, Valiente was a community-based SRHR initiative in multiple regions throughout Colombia (including, La Guajira, Magdalena, Chocó, Cauca) that ran for about five years and focused on comprehensive sexuality education (CSE).

Notably, participation was voluntary, therefore relying on community commitment. According to community members, the program directly engaged around 1,600 people in Aracataca alone, including children, adolescents, parents, teachers, social leaders, and local authorities (including the Mayor’s Office and Ministry of Education).

One mother said,  “As a parent, I found Valiente transformative…I can proudly say that we are now more open to talking about these kinds of issues with our sons and daughters.”

In addition, Valiente promoted peer-to-peer education and tackling SRHR issues creatively. For example, students developed classroom games to quiz each other on information about contraception as part of a “Boys and Girls Say No to Early Pregnancy” campaign. Some even took to writing, and reimagined classic stories in literature removing elements of gender-based violence to picture a world where everyone’s rights are upheld and respected. 

A psychologist there noted, “Valiente emphasized leadership development among young people, empowering them to advocate for themselves and their peers.”

This can be seen in one account by a teenage girl who spoke about her friend.

“…she was one of the shyest girls. One of the people who participated the least. And as the program progressed, she became that powerful voice.”

Lessons for the Global SRHR Community

For SRHR professionals around the world, Aracataca reminds us:

• Policy creates space, but practice drives change. Laws are essential, but local leadership and community engagement make them effective.
• Youth-led approaches work. When adolescents take the lead, peers listen and participate. Crucially, this builds confidence in young people.
• Family involvement accelerates impact. Parents can help dismantle harmful stigma and reinforce rights at home.
• Networks ensure continuity. Even after programs end, connected teachers and youth can sustain momentum.

As ICFP 2025 prepares to bring the global SRHR community together in Bogotá and online this 1–6 November, Aracataca’s story is a reminder that “equity through action” requires embedding rights into everyday spaces to ensure that conversations about SRHR endure beyond any single program.