Indigenous Youth Action to Promote Citizen Security

Countries:

Guatemala

Start project:

2017

Donors:

Kerk in Actie

Partners:

Asociacion Pop No´J

This project aims to strengthen the social leadership of Maya youths in Guatemala, by creating conditions that foster good living in the provinces of Huehuetenango, Chimaltenango and Peten, and promoting acknowledgement of their rights. Implemented by our local partner organization, Pop Noj, this project is part of a program developed in Nicaragua and Guatemala to promote opportunities for Indigenous and Afro-descendant youths, with the financial support of Kerk in Actie (KIA).

Background

Violence in Guatemala is historical, structural and inflicts damage on society as a whole, but above all, upon its youth. Young Maya women in particular find themselves in a situation of serious vulnerability, mainly for reasons of gender, ethnicity, class and age.

While violence has different characteristics, depending on whether the context is urban or rural, there are different types of violence in the area of coverage of this project, such as racism and discrimination, domestic violence, gender violence and school bullying, among others. These forms of violence are increasing, for which is necessary to act with a preventive approach. Young indigenous adults living in rural areas have few opportunities to participate and ensure their rights.

Often, State institutions lack staff and translators, in the more than 20 indigenous languages spoken in Guatemala, to facilitate the introduction of complaints, complete paperwork and the procedures needed to see justice served.