Closing the Gender Gap and Reducing Domestic Violence
Discrimination against women pervades all levels of Guatemala, from the countryside to the capital. This inequality, however, is strongest within indigenous communities and domestic violence against women is far too common.
At Ak' Tenamit, we make a point to promote gender equality in everything we do and improve local gender relations.
“The men and women at our workshops say that talking about [gender equality] is very important for their communities. The women don’t know where to turn to resolve domestic problems and, as a result, their families fall apart.”
- Ana Consuelo Tzalám Paquiun, Gender Based Violence and HIV Program Coordinator, Ak’ Tenamit
Promoting gender equality
Within Ak’ Tenamit’s leadership
Our statutes require the Board of Directors to be half women and half men - Leadership in student organizations is 50% female and 50% male
At Ak’ Tenamit’s secondary school
- Actively encourage girls to stay in school through the We Must Educate the Girls program
- Students attend national conferences related to the role of indigenous women and women’s rights
In local villages:
Discouraging gender violence
- Organize workshops that discuss women’s rights and discourage violence against women and children
- With Ak’ Tenamit’s students and teachers
- With local health promoters and midwives
- With community members
- With teachers from surrounding schools
- Make public service announcements on local radio stations discouraging violence
- Provide support for women suffering violence
- Publicize where abused women can find help
- Health promoters and midwives talk to patients about gender violence and help victims find solutions
In 2010, Ak’ Tenamit’s efforts reached:
- 92% of the population in 3 villages nearby communities claim to have heard information about gender violence, women’s rights, and HIV from Ak’ Tenamit
- 94% of students at Ak’ Tenamit’s school claim the same
- 48 workshops were given related to gender violence and women’s rights
- 1,343 men and 1,988 women participated in a workshop
