The social development manager of the department presented the "Atlantic" model, which transforms traditional trades into financial independence and female empowerment.
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News: The 50+1 International Convention has established itself as a bridge between Latin America and Europe to promote gender equality, social innovation, and the fight against violence against women. Photo: Courtesy March 24, 2026, 1:15 PM Updated: March 24, 2026, 1:15 PM
"Weaving is not just a technique; it is a political act to unite what was broken." With this phrase, Liliana Borrero Donado, a social leader from the Atlántico region, opened a speech that ended in a standing ovation during the 4th International 50+1 Congress, the most influential women's leadership event in the Spanish-speaking world, which this year brought together 500 leaders from 30 countries. READ ALSO: Borrero, representing Colombia, presented the Atlántico department as a global case study in female economic autonomy, where weaving, traditional cooking, and ancestral crafts ceased to be seen as marginal handicrafts and became cultural export industries. The invisible barrier hindering female development In a speech marked by social realism, Borrero explained the concept she called "time poverty," an inequality that hinders the educational, entrepreneurial, and leadership opportunities for women. Borrero presented the Atlántico as a case study in female economic autonomy. Photo: Courtesy While men in Colombia dedicate 3 hours to unpaid care, women dedicate 8 hours a day, which represents a gap of 5 hours that Borrero described as "an invisible tax that we pay simply for being born women." Faced with this structural inequality, the Atlántico decided to transform traditional crafts into economic drivers. The "Artesanal Seal" project, which brings together 900 production units, currently generates more than one million dollars annually and has taken artisans and cooks from the Atlántico region to 19 countries, achieving milestones such as participating in Maison & Objet, the most prestigious design fair in Paris. The impact that Borrero presented in Italy has strong institutional foundations. The Atlántico was the first department in the Caribbean region to have a Secretariat for Women and Gender Equality, created in 2011 during the second government of Eduardo Verano and converted into a public policy approved by the Assembly. Liliana Borrero Donado, social leader from the Atlántico. Photo: Courtesy This model yielded measurable results: Gender parity: 53% of the current departmental cabinet is led by women, heading strategic areas such as Finance, Economic Development, Water Supply, and Communications. Stable institutional framework: The 22 municipalities of the department have gender liaisons that ensure the continuity of the policy, regardless of changes in government. Real autonomy: Programs such as "I Start," "I Generate Income on Route 23" allow rural and urban women to transition from economic dependence to financial independence, breaking cycles of violence. Borrero emphasized that specialized curation, training, and international marketing are not mere technical tools, but "a social leap" that dignifies the legacy of grandmothers who weave and cook. With the new "AMA" (Ancestral Manual Art) strategy, the goal is to expand the model throughout the Caribbean region. The impact that Borrero presented in Italy has strong institutional foundations. Photo: Courtesy The closing of the speech was a call for interdependence among women around the world: "When an artisan looks me in the eye and shows me her bank statement, the result of her effort, I see justice. When a community leader defends her ideas on a platform, I see democracy," Borrero said to the audience. The final message, which united dignity, resilience, and cultural heritage, moved the audience to stand up. The 50+1 International Convention has established itself as the most influential bridge between Latin America and Europe to promote gender equality, social innovation, and the fight against violence against women. READ ALSO: Its 2026 edition, in Stresa, reaffirmed its role as a strategic space for weaving global networks of transformation. You might also be interested in: #ElTiempo #NewsColombia #BreakingNews #FirstPage | Photo: Follow all the information from Colombia on Facebook and Twitter, or in our weekly newsletter. EL TIEMPO NEWSLETTER Subscribe to our newsletters and receive news in your email according to your interests. Stay informed with what really matters to you. EL TIEMPO GOOGLE NEWS Follow us on GOOGLE NEWS. Stay always updated with the latest news, coverage, stories, and analysis directly on Google News. EL TIEMPO WHATSAPP Join the El Tiempo channel on WhatsApp to stay up-to-date with the most relevant news at the moment. EL TIEMPO APP Stay informed with the EL TIEMPO app. Receive the latest news, coverage, stories, and analysis directly on your device. SUBSCRIBE TO DIGITAL Reliable information for you. Subscribe to EL TIEMPO and consult our journalistic content without limits.