Within the framework of the Colombianas Without Borders campaign, the Alvaralice Foundation and HIAS (organization for the protection of refugees) organized an event titled “Employment Realities of Immigrant and Refugee Women: Social Integration and Economic Development,” held at the Dann Carlton Hotel in Cali. The event features experiences of Venezuelan immigrant women, who have traversed an arduous path in search of a new life in Colombia. The encounter, which took place on July 25, 2024, focused upon the participants’ stories, challenges faced in their social integration process and the crucial importance of employment for the immigrant population.
A diverse group of attendees included human resource executives from important companies in Cali, and representatives of social organizations and the public sector. The women shared their stories of travels from Venezuela to Colombia, highlighting both difficulties and achievements.
During the event, there were lengthy discussions of the challenges faced by immigrant women trying to establish themselves in a new country. Among them, the difficulty of finding adequate employment, lack of recognition of their professional skills and widespread prejudice found among the general population.
Representatives of the Alvaralice Foundation and HIAS emphasized the importance of improved access to programs facilitating employment opportunities for immigrants and social inclusion. Training and orientation programs, as well as stronger support networks, are essential to assisting these women to overcome the barriers they face to full participation in Colombian society.