Political Leadership for the Women of Guatemala
Even though women's organizations have contributed to Guatemala's democratization by creating wider political spaces for expression, women's status remains inferior to that of men in Guatemala. Women make up one of the most marginalized sectors of Guatemalan society, suffering from high levels of poverty and violence, trauma from the 36 years of armed conflict and military presence, appallingly low levels of education, difficult access to health care, lack of political representation, and ignorance of their rights. Statistics vary, yet it is reported that 75 to 90 percent of Guatemala's indigenous women are illiterate. Indigenous women face the most difficulties in accessing the workforce, the education system, and decision-making positions as much in their local communities and at home as in the general Guatemalan society (even though about a third of Guatemalan households are supported by women). Another problem facing Guatemalan women is violence and discrimination in the home. A woman who wants to participate in the formal economy will often have to obtain permission from her father or husband to do so. Women's associations have allowed women to organize and enter political leadership positions.
The Asociación Centro de Mujeres Comunicadoras Mayas “Nutzij’ (Central Association of Nutzij Maya Women Communicators, ACMCMN) addresses these obstacles by promoting technological education through video, internet, and computer literacy. The ACMCMN is a nonprofit organization begun in 1997 in the municipality of Sololá in the mountainous southwest of Guatemala. Ninety-three percent of Sololá's population of 280,359 are indigenous Maya who speak Kaqchiquel, Tzutuhil, and Quiché. ACMCMN promotes women's leadership and political and civic participation by consulting women on their needs at the community level.
The association works to complete organizing functions, especially those of formative character and the capacity of women to use and operate them. ACMCMN's educational services promote women's access to technology by establishing networks between local and regional institutions related to their interests.
Recently, the organization has opened up a self-sustaining internet café, operated by women. Documentary film work is also being done, providing an outlet to previously unheard women's voices, promoting women's political participation, and reviving women's cultural contributions. In 2002, the Women Artists Video, a documentary about local artisans, was completed, along with another documentary on the Peace Accords in Sololá.
The ACMCMN is working to create a center where women can access computer and internet programs and work on video editing. The library of videos would be used by organizations, students, and the general public.
The project is struggling with a lack of funding sources. It needs financial support to meet the demand for student scholarships, establish a permanent location, purchase modern equipment, and hire technical personnel for new computer programs.
Asociación Centro de Mujeres
Comunicadoras Mayas “Nutzij’
6ta Ave 7-40- Zona 1
Sololá, Guatemala
