Pathways to autonomy: tzotzil women's empowerment

To continue with the processes of empowerment of women artisans we generate an alliance to start the second stage of the computer course began with the objective of reducing the digital gap, and that the artisans acquire the necessary knowledge to use the computer as a necessary tool to communicate with the outside world, with their clients, their network of allies and to exercise their right to access information

The course takes place at the Artisan Development Center located in San Cristobal de las Casas and 15 artisans from 6 communities in the highlands of Chiapas are participating.

"For me it is very important to participate in the computer course, because it is something we do not have access to in my community, I had seen the computer, but I had never approached it and I did not imagine that I could learn to use it, I am very happy about it" Antonia Hernandez.

On the other hand, the artisans continue to participate in their training process, strengthening their leadership, social organization and productive techniques through their participation in workshops focused on the development of new products based on fashion trends, total quality and market analysis at the local, national and international levels.

This year we have continued with the alliance with Ensamble Artesano, an initiative that was born in the context of the pandemic to reactivate the economy of the artisan sector, and in its second edition the artisans of Chiapas, in collaboration with the designers have participated in participatory design processes, applying the knowledge they have acquired and as a result, currently 3 Social Enterprises of Artisan Women are in the production of a collection of limited edition cushions, made exclusively for this initiative, www.ensambleartesano.org

With these strategies, the artisans have increased their levels of empowerment and the construction of their economic autonomy.

During this period of training and accompaniment, the indigenous women artisans have strengthened their skills and entrepreneurial capacities.

The craftswomen are breaking with gender stereotypes by promoting the social organization of women and recognizing their leadership in their territories; through our training programs they have access to knowledge as a human right, they organize themselves and create sorority networks at the regional level. In addition, through the production and marketing of handicraft products under fair trade principles, they are generating income, which has allowed them to participate in decision-making and recognition for their work and the economic development of their families.

The productive technique has been strengthened by participating in workshops focused on the development of new products based on fashion trends, total quality, price and production cost analysis, market and competition analysis, resulting in the exhibition and marketing of their products at national and international level.

As for the development of soft skills, the artisans have participated in workshops on self-esteem, strengthening their leadership, and participation in public spaces that allow them to strengthen their human development.

After three years of this project, the women artisans have increased their levels of empowerment and have observed the importance of training and long-term accompaniment to generate changes that break with the community structures that place women in vulnerable conditions.