Two years after the creation of the foundation, a tragedy has become an opportunity for all.
Here we present the account of the many achievements that have been fruit of arduous work, and many more are on the way.
1.- They were able to return public and government interest in the legislation regarding these types of attacks. Through this and the opportune intervention in the Congress of the Republic, the Natalia Ponce de Leon law was passed, which increases prison sentences up to 40 years for these types of aggressions.
2.- They are the voices of the victims of attacks with chemical agents and their families. Directly and through their allies (Universidad del Rosario and ProBono Foundation) they have given 30 survivors of chemical attacks and their families accompaniment and care, psychological, and legal counseling in order for their rights to be respected and allowing for a better quality of life. They have also given orientation and counseling to about 10 victims of domestic violence that are in danger or have suffered burns and have contacted the foundation through the website www.fundacionnataliaponcedeleon.org and the email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
3.- Through the alliance between the Natalia Ponce de Leon Foundation and the AVON Foundation, Natalia has become the exclusive ambassador for the program against violence against women that aims towards the eradication of all forms of violence against women, acting from prevention to early detection.
Acknowledgments:
The phenomenon of attacks with chemical agents was made visible at the national and international scope, with Colombia at the dishonorable first place in number of attacks with chemical agents per person in the years 2011 and 2012 (Source: Report of the first debate PL 016C, 171 of 2015S- 08/09/2015).
In this frame, Natalia, on a personal level and as President of the Natalia Ponce de Leon Foundation has obtained the following acknowledgments:
- International Women of Courage Award: Washington, March 29, 2017
- Winner of Best Leader in Colombia 2016. SEMANA Magazine
- Acknowledgment at the CAFAM for Women Award Ceremony, 2016
- Outlook Inspirations Award, awarded by Radio Outlook of the World Service of the BBC, on its 50th anniversary, London, July 4, 2016
- Cannes Lions 2016/ PR/ Gold/ Natalia Ponce de Leon Foundation, J. Walter Thompson Colombia- The Last Mask, Colombia, June 21, 2016
- Order Maria Currea de Aya, awarded by the Counsel of Bogota on Women’s Day, March 8, 2016
- The General Director of the National Police of Colombia Medal, on Women’s Day, March 8, 2016
- Acknowledgement by the Colombian Association of Facial Plastic Surgery, 15th International Course of Facial Plastic Surgery and Rhinology, March 3, 2016
- Winner of the 2017 international EISENHOWER FELLOWSHIP, for the project of building a new Burn Unit in Colombia, a strongly felt necessity to lessen the enormous deficit of beds designated for the care of burn victims. The fellowship will take place between April 2 and May 19 of this year and during her stay, she will visit several Burn Units: 1- MedStar Washington Hospital center, Bur Center; Johns Hopkins Children's Center pediatric burn center; Johns Hopkins Bayview medical Center - Adult Bur unit; Shiners Hospital For Children- Cincinnati; Crozer Bur Center – Philadelphia; Lehigh Valley Hospital Bur Center- Philadelphia; Physicians For Peace- Norfolk y NIH, National Institute of General Medical Science- Complex Biological Systems Related to Trauma and Burn- Philadelphia, all prestigious institution with great relevance in this country. Her objective is to exchange knowledge and ideas that will allow for advances in the feasibility study of the new Burn Unit.
Challenges
We are a young organization and must continue with the activities that we are carrying out; however, we must additionally take on new challenges amongst which we will highlight the following:
- Establish the viability of the creation of a Burn Unit in the city of Bogota D.C. that will in part tend to the enormous deficit of beds designated towards the care of burn victims of any origin.
- Put forward training campaigns to raise awareness in the general population of this type of aggressions and the immediate care and actions that should be taken in case of an aggression and for survivors to know their rights
- Work towards getting survivors back to work and helping them find entrepreneurship opportunities
- Work with the competent authorities to fight against impunity in these types of aggression and for the enforcement of the Natalia Ponce de Leon Law
We invite businesses and people to donate:
Together, we can be part of this social transformation. Actions, more than intentions, are the true tools to build a better country and a more equal, just, solidary, and kind world.
Through monetary donations, you will help make this dream a reality. Visit www.fundacionnataliaponcedeleion.org
“This is not my fight, it’s everyone’s fight, because tomorrow this could be the story of your son, your daughter, or someone very close to your life and your heart.”
NATALIA PONCE DE LEON
