Women who build peace from the scars: A case study of Venezuela

Abstract: This qualitative case study examines women-led peacebuilding and human-rights initiatives in Venezuela amid institutional collapse, violence, and poverty. Building on integral peace leadership (McIntyre Miller & Alomair, 2022), we analyze three movements led by women: Comisiones de Convivencia de Catuche, Uniendo Voluntades, and Madres Poderosas. A variety of primary (interviews, photographs) and secondary sources (e.g., documents, reports, and press coverage) were collected and analyzed. A multilevel and longitudinal analysis of their founders’ life stories, the sociopolitical context and social impact is conducted. These initiatives emerged as informal responses to state failure and became interconnected acts of resistance that reduce violence, defend rights, and improve living conditions. Leaders and group members convert grief and trauma into collective efforts and resilience while advancing women’s wellbeing and equality. Their inclusion is crucial to further peace processes and democracy recovery.

Keywords: women, peacemaking, resilience, Venezuela, case study