No women's rights in Guatemala until the year 2000 

The civil war ends formally in 1996 with the signing of a peace contract. This intends that in Guatemala a national women's forum will be established, which is responsible for the implementation of all contents of the peace contracts specifically concerning women and the strengthening of their political and social rights. The women's forum ADIHM (Asociacion de Desarrollo Integral de Mujeres Huehuetecas) represents the umbrella organization "Foro de la Mujer", in which all women's organizations of the civil society assemble, in order to stand up for the economic, cultural, political, social and civil rights. 

Coordinadoras municipales
ADIMH has members in the whole provence of Huehuetenango, because the association has established so-called "coordinadoras municipales" in almost all communities. In these small women's offices, women discuss with each other, problems are being consulted about and solutions are being sought. Representatives of the district council are being elected here. In trainings by ADIHM these representatives learn how they can assert the concerns of women in political institutions successfully, which laws exist for women and which rights all citizens of Guatemala are entitled to. 

Learning how to read, write and calculate
However, what is just as important for women as a political representation is the ability to read, write and to calculate. 39% of the women are illiterate. The project ADIMH offers an alphabetisation programme, because reading and writing are essential prerequisites to find work. Sometimes the lessons take place at the school of the respective location, sometimes also in the backyard of a private house. 

Data & Facts

Support of ADIMH (Association for the integral development of women)

Location: Huehuetenango, Guatemala

Goal: The possibility of learning how to read, write and calculate is being offered to women. Alphabetisation is a central step in order to get access to work and thus safeguard the survival of the family financially. The project of ADIMH addresses approximately 10.500 indigene women in the district of Huehuetenango.