- LOCATION: Barranquilla, Colómbia
- PROJECT: Conferences and Retreats for Men to Overcome Machismo
- DIRECTOR: Dr. Nori Menéndez
- FINANCIAL NEED: $5,000 per year
Colómbia is one of the most dangerous countries in the world for women. Statistics show that 37 percent of women in the general population have reported intimate partner violence. Yet most abuse is not reported, and few cases that are reported are brought to trial. In 2014 The Mordecai Project helped organize Proyecto Mardoqueo, a local chapter of our ministry in the city of Barranquilla. Heading up this ministry is Dr. Nori Menendez, a licensed psychologist and committed Christian. Nori has worked tirelessly to organize conferences for men, women, married couples and pastors to raise awareness of the problems caused by the culture of machismo. In 2015 our ministry also organized a citywide march to denounce violence. We eventually learned that one of the most strategic things we can do is help men overcome their tendencies to abuse women. We have now held dozens of conferences and retreats for men in the cities of Barranquilla, Cali and Bucaramanga. Hundreds of men have found freedom from anger, male pride, addiction and abusive behaviors.
37%
of Women Have Reported Intimate Partner Violence.
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In many cases, women do not report domestic violence for many reasons such as fear and peer pressure. We have also observed that domestic violence is common in Christian homes and at times treated as a norm by church leadership.
