COPERMA, the French acronym for Farmers’ and Breeders’ Community in the Cold Region, received new funding for the 2018 fiscal year from the Martín-Baró Fund after receiving funding from 2012-2014. COPERMA has been working in rural communities in the region since 1983 with the goal to foster development and self-sufficiency within young mothers and all survivors of sexual violence. Near-constant armed conflict in the region has contributed to large-scale sexual violence by soldiers, mainly against women.

With support from the Martín-Baró Fund last year, COPERMA was able to successfully intervene and assist victims of sexual violence. This year with a new grant from the Fund COPERMA will continue their work with women survivors of sexual violence while reaching out to others in need of help. In addition, COPERMA will equip their counseling centers with more materials that will assist in the education and comfort of women and children who have undergone traumatic experiences. In addition, COPERMA intends to create and give workshops aimed to help survivors reintegrate into society.