Reinforcing the economic leadership of rural women from Sololá

To reinforce the skills of rural indigenous women under conditions of gender-based violence

Para contrarrestar los efectos de la violencia de género CARE GUATEMALA, implementa el proyecto Fortalecimiento del liderazgo económico de las mujeres indígenas rurales Maya Kachiqueles. Han enfrentado el impacto de la pandemia, fortaleciendo actividades 

To counteract the effects of gender-based violence, CARE GUATEMALA implemented the project Reinforcing the economic leadership of rural indigenous women from Maya Kaqchikel communities. The organization faced the impact of the pandemic, and reinforced the productive activities of 132 women, victims of violence, and 14 men. 10 groups have been organized with business ideas that included:  the production of Honey, Oyster Mushrooms, Laying Birds, Wicker Baskets, and Vegetables. This was developed in San Lucas Tolimán in coordination with the Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock, and Food (MAGA, by its acronym in Spanish); and also in San Andrés Semetabaj, Department of Sololá, due to CARE’s local partner, the civil association Colectivo Poder y Desarrollo Local (CPDL). The project was implemented based on CARE’s comprehensive model of assistance to rural indigenous women victims of violence; and on the Economic Empowerment of Women model, which focuses on protecting their means of subsistence, and on promoting the personal and financial autonomy of women and their families, orienting them to productive chains and to increase their income.

146

Participantes

Women and men directly participated

132

women and 14 men

They have strengthened their business skills to keep up with their productive initiatives 

10

Groups of women

Reinforced their organization and leadership skills 

Objective

To strengthen the skills of rural indigenous women under conditions of poverty and gender-based violence, facilitating their access to resources and to productive and economic chains to contribute to their personal, collective, and business empowerment.

Activities

  • Training 10 groups of women in technical aspects that correspond to their productive initiatives: broiler chickens, laying birds, mushrooms, honey, basket making, baking, pastries, knitting, and harvesting.
  • To enhance access to information and communication technologies, and to basic technological knowledge. 
  • The provision of supplies and materials for the production and marketing of the 10 reinforced production modules.
  • The development of in-person training workshops using CARE’s empowerment models.
  • Training in digital marketing modules and in effectively sharing products to sell online. 
  • Providing technical assistance to the 10 groups of women for the development of marketing strategies.
  • Exchanges and partnerships with other women with business experience for inspirational and knowledge-acquisition purposes.  
  • The organization of municipal and departmental business fairs for the promotion and marketing of the groups’ products.
  • The coordination of collective activities held with local organizations (CPDL) and with governmental organizations (the Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock, and Food -MAGA-) for technical assistance and skill development.