Women in remote Guatemala find strength in shared voices

"In the remote highlands of Baja Verapaz, women are rediscovering their strength through a simple yet powerful tool: their voices. For generations, Indigenous women in Guatemala have carried families and traditions, but their own wellbeing often came last. Now, through Well-Being Clubs supported by the International Organization for Migration (IOM), silence is giving way to self-esteem, healing and resilience. Many women suffer from a lack of love and respect, says Reina from San Miguel Chicaj."

"San Miguel Chicaj, home to 33,000 people, belongs to the Achi Maya territory, where farming and weaving keep centuries-old traditions alive. Yet isolation leaves many women feeling invisible. Sometimes we're overlooked because our villages are so far away, says Norma, a young participant. The Well-Being Clubs offer safe spaces where women can explore emotions, practice stress management, and build confidence in their own languages, Achi and Kaqchikel."

"More than 500 women and girls in Baja Verapaz and Chimaltenango have joined so far, with sessions led by local facilitators. It was something beautiful, says Norma. We made time for ourselves, even with chores waiting at home. We set that time aside to learn from one another. Guided by facilitator Vanessa Canahui, more than 300 women in San Miguel Chicaj took part in 10 sessions in Achi."

Over 500 women and girls in Baja Verapaz and Chimaltenango have joined Well-Being Clubs to foster self-worth, mutual support and resilience. The clubs provide safe spaces for exploring emotions, practicing stress management, and building confidence in Achi and Kaqchikel. Local facilitators led sessions including gratitude journals, self-regulation exercises, and trust-building activities such as drawing blind. Participants reported setting aside time for themselves despite household chores and feeling heard more clearly in their native languages. The initiative addresses vulnerabilities linked to migration and combines psychosocial support with community resilience, strengthening social bonds, emotional skills, and cultural affirmation.

Read at www.aljazeera.com