Marleny Alvarado is a panela producer and member of the Piura Ecological and Solidarity Agricultural Cooperative (CAES Piura) in the mountainous region of Piura, Peru. (Photo: Pablo Tosco/Oxfam Intermón)
Peru, officially the Republic of Peru, is located in western South America. It faces significant challenges related to social inequality, political instability, and environmental degradation. Oxfam addresses these issues through projects in active citizenship, environmental justice, and economic reform.
Pavel Martiarena is an activist and photographer from Peruvian region Madre de Dios, where he fights against extractivism in the Amazon region. (Photo: David Méndez/Oxfam)
Challenges
Peru grapples with multiple challenges, including widespread poverty, increasing violence against human rights defenders, and the impacts of climate change on agriculture and food security.
Political polarization and the closing of democratic spaces further complicate efforts to address these issues. Legislative Decree N°1589 penalizes protests, reflecting the shrinking civic space. A new regulation known as the ‘gag law’, passed by the Peruvian Congress, requires all organizations receiving international cooperation funds to register with the Peruvian Agency for International Cooperation (APCI). The law prohibits the use of foreign funding to litigate against the Peruvian State, directly affecting various human rights defense cases. It also mandates that any project financed with international cooperation funds must receive prior approval from APCI. Additionally, it threatens NGOs with fines of up to USD 700,000.
However, opportunities exist for strengthening civil society engagement and promoting inclusive policies. The recent focus on environmental justice and sustainable development presents avenues for collaboration between local communities and Oxfam.
Impact on People
Women, young people, and indigenous communities face heightened risks due to systemic inequalities and political repression. These groups often lack access to essential services, such as healthcare and education, and are disproportionately affected by environmental degradation and economic instability. Ongoing humanitarian crises have exacerbated the effects on marginalized communities.
Serafín is a sugarcane producer alongside his family. In 2016, he built a panela production plant with the support of the Piura Ecological and Solidarity Agricultural Cooperative (CAES Piura) in the mountainous region of Piura in Peru, with the support of Oxfam Intermón. (Photo: Pablo Tosco/Oxfam Intermón)
Oxfam’s Role
Oxfam began operations in Peru in 1984. We continue to play a crucial role in advocating for social justice and supporting marginalized communities. Our priorities include enhancing active citizenship, promoting environmental and climate justice, and advancing economic and fiscal reforms. By fostering dialogue and collaboration among civil society actors, we aim to create inclusive policies that promote equitable development.
Looking Ahead
It is essential to strengthen the capacity of civil society organizations, enhance protection for human rights defenders, and ensure meaningful participation of marginalized groups in policy-making processes. Continued advocacy for inclusive economic policies and environmental sustainability will be critical in addressing the root causes of inequality and fostering resilience for people in Peru.