(Photo : Reuters)

Violence against women is still one of the uproaring issues not only in Brazil but across the globe. This is most of the time the reason why women decide to leave their place of origin and seek American asylum. 

However, a group of displaced women who sought refuge from acts such as domestic violence, has built a city of their own. They began to construct their community brick by brick back in 2003 and formed the League of Displaced Women. They call the place "City of Women" according to a report published on BBC News.

The city has 100 houses and these were all built by women. It is located in the nearby municipality of Turbaco. What pushed the women to build the city are the experiences that they encountered like domestic violence, sexual violence, armed conflict, and more. At present, there are more than 150 cases of gender-based violence that remain unresolved. 

The City of Women offers the affected individuals and their families a place of refuge where they find security away from any forms of conflict and violence. Most of the women and families living in the city are those who were also facing rape, death threats, and even murder.

Consuelo Villega Mendoza, 44 years old, is originally from the northern region of Sucre but she decided to leave the place because of the present massacre by the paramilitaries in the nearby communities. She said that war had taken them away from their customs, their homes, and most of all their land.

Now, in the City of Women, she has started a new life with her daughter by opening a restaurant in her home. They prepare Colombian food for the community. She also shared that she is so thankful that she became a member of the League of Displaced Women because the group taught her to move on despite the misery and fear that she encounters.

Another story in the city of women is of Alneris Orozco Caupo, originally from the north-western region of Cesar, who was also forced to leave her home with her two children because of the territorial conflict between paramilitaries and Farc militaries. 

Now, in the City of Women, she has found peace and security but she is also very happy as her children were able to graduate from high school and university. This is something that she never expected. She also said that if she stayed in her place of origin, it would be impossible to achieve the dreams of her children because of the territorial conflict.

One of the most tragic stories that you will hear from women living in the city is about Erika Maria Gamarra Caro, whose family was brutally murdered. She also experienced sexual assault during her displacement. During those times she was unable to speak due to fear and she did not know her own worth. However, everything changed when she moved to the city and joined the League. She said that the group helped her recover.

Despite the name of the city, some men do live there. These are the husbands and sons who also seek refuge in the city because of the territorial or armed-conflict that they experienced in their place of origin.

These are only a few of the stories that you can hear within the City of Women. Most of the women living here are those who are coming from Colombia. However, with the help of the League of displaced women, they realized that they have the right to fight for and a life worth living.