Indigenous Women's Leadership Program

As Mexico prepares to inaugurate its first female president the world is looking at our country and wondering at the changes taking place. You have to admit that this is a historic moment taken in the larger context of Mexican society. Yet, to this date, Mexico has only had one indigenous president, which was back in Abraham Lincoln's time. In Indigenous communities, all people male and female are still struggling to find a place in the halls of leadership, and Indigenous custom systems will usually give a only to males who are heads of families.  Many communities still do not give women places where they can participate in the decision making process.

One of our goals here at Centro de Compartimiento (CDC) is to help people find their voice.  We have always taken that to mean the support them to learn to tell their stories and speak out for themselves.  This summer some friends from Oaxaca City proposed a workshop to work on voice.

We were surprised that this was not just about a voice as in the will to speak out, but the power of the physical voice to heal and raise up others. Using storytelling, song, chant, and physical movement the group learned about the power of thier voices to heal, support, and speak out.

The women found one exercise very powerful, with the group singing one note together they gave an environment for a participant to truely shout out to the world with no fear, and no shame because no one could hear their words. Afterward, a quiet environment was created for everyone who wanted to process the experience and share what they wanted.  Many women commented that they never had the freedom or safe place to really say what they wanted. 

It is through donors like you that we can bring these workshops to our community. We are greatful for all your support and hope that you can continue to help us provide these unique experiences to our community.