Help Prevent Child Marriage in Rural Guatemala

COVID-19 and the corresponding economic impacts have exacerbated existing challenges encountered by rural, indigenous women in Guatemala, as the risk of child marriage and violence against women and girls (VAWG) has significantly increased since the start of the pandemic. The Women’s Justice Initiative remains committed to addressing these issues in 2021 and we’re thrilled to share updates on our work.

Legal Empowerment and Protection

Thus far in 2021, WJI has worked on 212 legal cases, 77% of which were related to VAWG. WJI also offers optional psychological support to all of the women it serves and has continued providing education about women’s rights, gender-based violence protection, and the consequences of early unions through its Women’s Rights Education Program and Adolescent Girls Program. 

Adolescent Girls and Boys Pilot Programs

WJI planned to start an Adolescent Boys Pilot Program in March 2020 that would parallel the organization’s Adolescent Girls Program and teach young boys to respect gender equality, delay marriage, and support girls. The program was put on hold for 11 months due to COVID-19, but re-started in February 2021 in the communities of El Cojobal, Chipiacul, and Xepatán. Currently, 75 boys (ages 8 to 12) are participating in the program and have learned about topics such as self-esteem, communication skills, and human rights. There are also 92 young girls actively participating in the Adolescent Girls Program across three communities and WJI has organized a meeting in June 2021 for the boys and girls. 

Expansion and Sustainability

Recently, WJI expanded to a third municipality, San Juan Comalapa, and completed community mapping in 12 communities, identifying local needs, meeting with community leaders, and recruiting women and girls for its programs. Women’s rights education workshops have already begun in 6 of these communities! 

Meanwhile, Community Advocates in 12 communities just graduated from their two-year, intensive training in leadership development and human rights. These local women Advocates serve as educators and mentors in their communities and refer women and girls to the services that they need. This greatly contributes to the sustainability of WJI’s work and helps WJI more rapidly scale and reach larger numbers of women.

Moving Forward

Building on the lessons learned while carrying out its response to COVID-19, WJI will: 

• Continue to implement new technologies and incorporate greater use of tablets and other devices;
• Develop additional radio programming to spread information in various local languages about COVID-19, vaccinations, and women’s rights;
• Maintain its 24/7 domestic violence hotline (which was created in response to office closures during the pandemic and has been highly effective); and
• Strengthen the role of Community Advocates, who helped WJI plan its strategy during the crisis after identifying the most urgent needs at the community level.

Supporters like you allow us to continue providing vital resources and assistance to the women and girls we serve and to adapt our programs to the realities of the COVID-19 pandemic. Please consider making a donation to the Women’s Justice Initiative and thank you so much for your support of our work!

Links:

• Check out WJI's website
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