We are Zapotec women artisans from Oaxaca, Mexico, coming together through this project to build safer, more resilient communities. In our region, marked by economic hardship, land dispossession, and one of the highest rates of violence against women, we seek change. With your support, 120 families like ours can improve our quality of life, reduce economic violence, and create collective strength.
Our struggle is urgent: 85% of indigenous women here have access only to low-paying, informal jobs, and many of us also care for sick or elderly family members, adding to our daily challenges. Yet, beyond these disadvantages, our region endures crises that amplify violence-forced disappearances, femicides, and human trafficking are harsh realities that our communities face. When we try to lift ourselves out of poverty through small businesses, high-interest loans often trap us in cycles of debt.
Since 2017, we have been forming artisan cooperatives with a feminist perspective, fostering fair work conditions, social support, and economic security for our families. This perspective means that we prioritize mothers and their children, acknowledging the full reality of women's lives. Our solidarity-based economy empowers us to build sustainable livelihoods while celebrating our cultural heritage. Through shared spaces, training, and emotional support, we're working toward safer communities.
Our program has reached 40 cooperatives and over 700 women, creating an economy that respects our traditions and future. Here, we've learned traditional trades, strengthened business skills, and built local support networks that allow us to defend our rights-from our families to our communities. With your support, we will impact Santa Maria Mixtequilla and Union Hidalgo, breaking cycles of inequality and creating a world where women like us can lead with safety and dignity.
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