Guatemala
Photo: Marlon García
Women of El Carmen Varituc, Guatemala, working together to create change in their community.
An Inequitable System
Guatemala’s troubled past stands in stark contrast to its striking geography and strong indigenous cultural identity. In 1996, Guatemala emerged from a 36-year-long civil war, which saw more than 200,000 people killed or disappeared. Over 400 Mayan villages were destroyed.
Despite a fragile peace, Guatemala’s indigenous people – who make up 60% of the population – still face discrimination. The economy is based on agriculture, which employs over 50% of the labor force. But with just 2% of Guatemalans controlling 72% of farmland, inequity remains a major problem.
The legacy of war, coupled with high rates of male migration, means women bear the brunt of poverty.
In recent years, some progress has been made in the areas of health and education. But over half of the population continues to live in extreme poverty. Current trade policies make it nearly impossible for local businesses and small farmers to compete with US corporations. This further exacerbates poverty and unemployment. Poor farmers and indigenous people have been forced to leave to their homes and migrate to cities where they often end up living in slums.
The legacy of war, coupled with high rates of male migration, means women bear the brunt of poverty. They face the double burden of raising children and being solely responsible for the family income. As a result, many children have to work and are unable to go to school.
Women As The Key to Ending Poverty
Fortunately, more and more local organizations are successfully assisting their communities in addressing food security while also promoting economic opportunities. They are also promoting indigenous pride while challenging unfair or discriminatory policies.
In Guatemala IDEX mainly supports programs that promote women’s empowerment. IDEX partners provide women with economic and educational opportunities, including microfinance, workshops on health and wellness, and adult education.
In rural areas, partners work with farming families and communities in sustainable land management practices. These are designed to conserve the natural environment and at the same time build local economies. Ultimately training allows poor families to provide for their nutritional needs while creating community organizations to solve other local challenges.
Blog
Girls Amplify Their Voices Through Technology
Friday, January 13, 2012
Katherine Zavala – IDEX’s Program Manager, Grassroots Alliances – reports back on a recent trip to South Africa where she visited IDEX Catalyst Grantee Women’s Net.