Empowering Guatemalan Women with Professional Jobs

Catholic Relief Services (CRS) recently issued a study entitled “Between Rootedness and the Decision to Migrate: Push and Retention Factors of Migration in Guatemala.” In this study, they analyzed the characteristics that influence individuals’ desire to migrate out of the country.

Among the results, they found that there was a tendency toward a “female brain drain.” This is because young females are more likely to migrate as they reach levels of higher education, particularly if they are unable to find employment opportunities in which they can use the skills that they have developed.

Another factor that makes migration more likely is a sense of being undervalued or discriminated against, which is most common among the Indigenous community. Indigenous individuals feel very connected to their communities, but the sense of discrimination is another impetus for them to leave and seek opportunities elsewhere.

With our goal to empower Indigenous young women within their communities, the Kateri Tekakwitha Fund addresses a number of these factors. The scholarship program supports young women so that they are able to continue with their education and provides tools for professional development during this process. The young women attend workshops on topics such as job interviews in order to help them develop their skills in this area and give them an advantage as they enter the working world.

However, as the CRS report points out, education itself is not enough to prevent young women from migrating. In fact, it actually increases the chances of migration if not accompanied by employment opportunities. It suggests that increasing employment opportunities for young people is important. In particular, job training programs that connect young people to employment opportunities. In addition, the study found that leadership opportunities for women, which help them to feel connected to their communities, are vital.

Our intern program speaks to this recommendation for combatting the factors which motivate the young women to leave their communities to secure a better life. This program connects young women to job opportunities, helping them to develop their skills in  order  to  achieve success in the working world. It also allows them to connect with employers and build professional relationships for the future, often leading to long-term opportunities.