colmena consultoras
Sexual and Reproductive Health
& Gender Equality
Colmena Consultoras is a collective of feminist public health professionals dedicated to advancing gender equality and sexual and reproductive health rights. With over two decades of combined experience in research, policy advocacy, and capacity development, the team collaborates with organizations worldwide to reduce inequalities and improve the lives of women, girls, and adolescents. From designing national programs to publishing cutting-edge research, Colmena blends academic rigor with actionable strategies to drive systemic change. Passionate about creating inclusive, evidence-based solutions, the team emphasizes partnerships and community-centered approaches to achieve meaningful and sustainable outcomes.
Colmena consultoras at a glance
Karla Berdichevsky
A medical doctor with a master’s in public health from the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, Karla has over 20 years of experience designing and managing public health policies. She led Mexico’s first national safe abortion program and countrywide humanized birth services as General Director for Gender Equity and Reproductive Health at the Mexico Ministry of Health. Fluent in Spanish and English, Karla has collaborated with UNFPA, PAHO, and other global organizations.
​
Bianca Vargas-Escamilla
A sociomedical scientist with a doctorate in medical anthropology from UNAM, Bianca specializes in maternal mortality, adolescent health, and gender-based violence. With 15 years of experience, she has consulted for nonprofits and government agencies and served as Director of Maternal and Perinatal Health at the Mexico Ministry of Health.
​
Karla Flores-Celis
A psychologist with a PhD in public mental health, Karla specializes in the intersection of abortion and mental health, unintended pregnancy, reproductive autonomy, and gender violence. She has led research and advocacy efforts, including developing Mexico’s first National Technical Guideline for Safe Abortion, which supported the establishment of a nationwide safe abortion service network. Fluent in Spanish and English, Karla has contributed to public policy advancements and the reduction of stigma surrounding reproductive rights.
​
Graciela Beatriz Muñoz-García
An anthropologist with doctoral degrees from UNAM and CIESAS, Graciela has over 20 years of research experience focusing on sexual and reproductive health, obstetric violence, gender-based violence, and human rights. She has published extensively in scientific journals, contributed to public policy publications, and taught undergraduate and postgraduate courses in bioethics, medical anthropology, and research methodology. Currently, she is a researcher and professor at the National Human Rights Center in Mexico and an associate researcher for the Regional Working Group on International Health and Health Sovereignty of CLACSO. Graciela has made significant contributions to advancing gender equity and social justice.
​
EXTERNAL LINKS:
