Colombia has the second highest rate of unequal land distribution in South America after Paraguay. Inequitable access to land is a main cause of rural poverty, which can be seen in Colombia with more than half of rural households living in poverty.^[1] Approximately 80% of the land in Colombia is in the hands of only 14% of the population. Similarly, 40% of Colombian territory is somehow controlled by multinationals, involved in agriculture, the production of biofuels, forestry, or mining.^[2] This shows that, so far, the fight to reduce the concentration of land tenure in Colombia, has not been successful.

Child labour

The minimum age for official employment in Colombia is 15, and 18 for hazardous work. Nonetheless, prohibitions against child labour are largely ignored. In the formal sector, labour inspectors enforce child labour laws, however, the majority of child labour, roughly 80%, occurs in the informal economy. In 2017, according to the National Administrative Department of Statistics (DANE), 7% of children in Colombia from 5 to 17 years old worked, and 44% of them in agriculture, forestry and fishing.^[3] The worst forms of child labour in agriculture are observed in the coffee, sugarcane and coca plantations, reporting that children from 11 years old are forced to cultivate and harvest cocoa.^[4]

Gender

Gender-based violence is highly pervasive in Colombia.^[5] Access to resources and justice for survivors of gender-based violence is low.^[6] Additionally, it is extremely difficult for women to gain access to land.^[7] Many rural women lack education and training, and are often unaware of their legal rights meaning that they are typically excluded from land titles and deeds, which hinders participation and decision-making in agriculture.^[8]  [9]