Supporting indigenous mentors to reach more girls

We are finally getting back on track after the constant rains of this past month.  Last week was very eventful:

Monday: Abriendo Oportunidades and the Population Council co-hosted a forum on domestic violence with the Journalism School of Universidad San Carlos de Guatemala.  Partners from Defensoría de la Mujer Indígena and mentors from our program participated along the head of criminal investigations from the Public Ministry (the equivalent of the District Attorney) and Fundación Sobrevivientes (the lead civil society organization addressing violence against women). 

Tuesday: the United Nations Population Fund visited our headquarters with a group of representatives of the media to learn more about the work carried out with indigenous girls and adolescents as part of the events to conmemorate reaching a world population of 7 billion people.  Several of our participants were interviewed for television, radio and print media about their community work and the changes they hope to make concerning reproductive rights, education and prevention of gender-based violence.

Wednesday: the Population Council, along with 10 other organizations and individuals, were awarded the UNFPA medal for the work carried out with rural adolescents and girls in Guatemala.  It was a very exciting event for everyone and encouragement to continue working with more communities in rural Guatemala.

On Wednesday, too, girl leaders were finally able to travel to their training events (postponed because of rains and flooding in Oct.)  Girl leaders learning participatory video worked with their peers to learn about their most important stories and changes in their lives.  The workshop lasted until Friday, but on Sunday, part of the team traveled to Valparaíso, Santa Cruz, Alta Verapaz, to continue the work with participatory video with girl groups in that area.

We will post new pictures and video soon!