Empower 1,200 Mayan girls and youth from Chiapas

Reporte GlobalGiving:
Violence prevention to indigenous girls Covid time (50360)

Ch'ieltik continues its work to promote actions to promote gender equality for indigenous girls, adolescents and youth in Chiapas.

In the first semester of 2022, our team continued to broaden the bases to promote inclusive communication, free of stereotypes and discrimination; gave training with a gender perspective, and outlined actions to help eliminate gender violence in Mayan communities.

Women-butterflies of Chenalho

On March 8th., within the framework of International Women's Day, we created spaces to reflect on the normalization of violence against Mayan women and girls. In the community of San Pedro Chenalho, the importance of raising awareness about the situation experienced by women and girls in indigenous communities and the world was analyzed. The normalization of gender inequality conditions refer to problems of abuse of power, discrimination against women who express themselves with acts of physical, sexual, economic, patrimonial and psychological violence. The young women reflected on the importance of not remaining silent, participating for and having support networks (public and private institutions, civil organizations and others) that spread a life free of violence against girls and women.

A women's basketball tournament was held to motivate women's participation. In this space the young women were able to express what their hearts and thoughts say. Each of the eight basketball teams captured in phrases and drawings what it means for them to be women: "We are like butterflies: we transform ourselves to become

women of struggle and resistance."

Young women and the right to education in San Juan Cancuc

Within the framework of the same commemoration, at CECYTE No. 05 high school, a discussion was held with young women and men who reflected on the actions that women have carried out so that their rights are respected within the communities: especially, the right to education.

Of twelve women and ten men who participated, the latter coincided in pointing out that making gender equality effective should not be an exclusive task of women but rather a joint effort that favors the rights of all people.

The main message that was shared in this conversation was, in the voice of the students, that “women can dream big and continue studying”, if they so propose.

A forum was also held at COBACH 175, where the importance of youth participation was discussed, where the voice of indigenous youth is essential to make significant changes in the community.

In addition, awards were given and three students who satisfactorily participated in a photography contest organized by Ch'iletik were awarded prizes. The central theme of this contest was to discover and portray women from indigenous communities and, in parallel, to strengthen the digital photography skills of young Mayans.

Soccer and gender in Nuevo San Juan Chamula

In this municipality of the Jungle Region, in Chiapas, Soccer training has continued with 15 students from this community. The activity adds to the strengthening of women's leadership,

through teamwork, while contributing to the prevention of early pregnancies and promoting actions to stop gender violence.

The young soccer players involve more young women so that they are interested in their sports activity and in addition to inviting them to join "Juvenil Pacayal", they share and analyze gender issues.

Actions to eradicate gender violence in Nuevo Huiztan

On May 17th, the "Forum on Prevention of violence against women" was held. It took place in Community Telebachillerato 165, in the Nuevo Huixtan community, and was attended by 26 young women and 26 young men.

The young women and men talked about the "violentometer" and the warnings that many times in dating are exercised and more about women, and about prevention and actions that would help find protective factors to be able to help young women and prevent forced marriages or early pregnancies.

Subsequently, the Forum "Prevention of violence against women" was held at Telesecundaria 926 Jose Vasconcelos Calderon, in Nuevo Huixtan community.

On May 31st., 34 young women and 29 young men participated and reflected on the causes and consequences of violence against women.

The young people shared experiences in which many young people reported that, in their communities, they marry at an early age and, above all, the lack of information about their sexual and reproductive rights, the final reflection was made with them and them where they proposed to act to help your community.

On June 17, the Intergenerational Conversation on the Prevention of Gender Violence was held in Las Margaritas, Chis.

Ch'ieltik together with the organization "Extraordinary Women" facilitated a talk where girls, adolescents and young people, of different ages, presented their point of view about what they know about gender violence and learned to empathize in order to act and lead the message of peace to their friends, friends and people with whom they live and thus prevent gender violence.