Weaving relationships: Tobacco, women, and peace in Ovejas, Sucre, Colombia†

Abstract

Starting from the little recognition that women have been given in both economic and productive life, as well as in the processes aimed at peacebuilding, this article reflects on the relationship between women, tobacco labor, and peacebuilding, based on work conducted with women in contexts of armed conflict and post-agreement in the Montes de Maria region of Colombia, specifically with the Cocinando Ideas Collective in the Municipality of Ovejas, Sucre. The research is conducted through social constructionism and participatory action research, based on the following questions: how has tobacco labor impacted the lives of women in the Montes de Maria region? And how can tobacco labor become an element of peaceful mediation for women survivors of armed conflict? Three conclusions are drawn: the first shows some visible aspects and reveals other invisible aspects regarding the role of women in tobacco labor. The second accounts for positive and negative elements in how the tobacco profession is represented by women. Finally, the article explores the meaning tobacco has had in the territory in terms of peacebuilding and its role in the political transition of the region.