So far this year, the department of Izabal has registered over 1,600 complaints of violence against women, who then required comprehensive assistance to recover their life projects. 

After a year of collective efforts, the survivors will finally be assisted at the Comprehensive Care Center for Women, a place where they will find shelter, and psychological, medical, and legal support for themselves and their children.

“This building gives women a sense of safety. One day, it will make it so that if there is a woman afraid to denounce, she can lose her fear because she will be treated here with psychologists, doctors, and lawyers,” said Hugo Sarceño, the Major of Puerto Barrios, who delegated the responsibility for the institution’s operation to the Municipal Directorates for Women (DMM).

The center has the capacity to shelter 40 women and their children, and it was equipped with the support provided by CARE Guatemala through their “Transform Yourself, Women Free of Violence” project, financed by USAID. 

“I am glad to see the joint efforts of local authorities, USAID and UNHCR, in this important initiative to promote security and peace. Eradicating violence against women is everyone’s responsibility. The United States Government is working hard to reduce gender gaps, and provide women and girls with economic, educational, and leadership opportunities,” said William Popp, the United States Ambassador, during the inauguration.

CARE Guatemala thanks the women and the organizations in Izabal for allowing us to join efforts with them to create the Comprehensive Care Center for Women, and we also reiterate our commitment to work with the women and girls in the country.