The Inter-American Development Bank (IADB) has approved a USD500m loan for Colombia to combat gender-based violence and enhance health and justice services for diverse communities, as reported by Reuters on Oct 24. The credit, distributed over a year with a six-year grace period and interest rate based on SOFR, aims to establish a national system to monitor gender-based violence and remove barriers for marginalized populations in accessing essential services.

Gender-based violence (GBV) and sexual gender-based violence (SGBV) are pervasive issues in Colombia, particularly in conflict-affected regions and indigenous territories. These crimes, often underreported, pose significant risks for women, girls, and the LGBTQ+ community. Despite legal frameworks and institutional efforts, there are gaps in responding effectively, especially in conflict zones. The recent USD500m loan from the IADB aims to address these challenges by supporting the implementation of a national system to track GBV, remove barriers for diverse populations, and enhance health and justice services.

Sources:

https://www.reuters.com/sustainability/society-equity/iadb-inks-500-mln-loan-colombia-fight-gendered-violence-2023-10-24/

https://reliefweb.int/report/colombia/acaps-thematic-report-colombia-gbv-cases-and-response-gaps-11-april-2023