El Colectivo Empowers Women to Pursue Positions of Leadership

Guatemala has the worst gender equality gap in the northern hemisphere, with Indigenous Maya women—who make up about 25% of the country’s population—comprising one of the most overlooked demographics in the Americas. Fewer than 20% of Maya women in Guatemala graduate high school, and between 2011 and 2019, just 6% of Indigenous women attended university. 

That’s why a network of four high-impact nonprofit organizations in Guatemala (MAIA, WINGS Guatemala, Women’s Justice Initiative, and Wuqu’ Kawoq) is dedicated to empowering the women it employs to gain the skills and knowledge needed to become capable leaders in their current jobs, their local communities, and beyond. This joint initiative, called El Colectivo (and a Summit Foundation grantee since 2021) currently supports a 12-member cohort (following the first cohort of 16) in ongoing intensive English language-learning programs, cross-cultural networking training, leadership and verbal communication workshops, and more—all of which is designed specifically to help these women become powerhouses for systemic change in their communities and professional spheres. 

In February of 2023, the current cohort kicked off their first year of participation in the program with an all-day retreat. Through activities focused on building connections and trust, they explored their identities, the challenges they face, and their future leadership goals. “The retreat was very nourishing for my personal and professional development,” one participant said after the event. “I realized … how strong I have been despite barriers. Professionally, I was made aware of the fact that there are other Indigenous women doing excellent work with other women, supporting and guiding them in various aspects of their life.” 

These courses and retreats continued throughout the year and into 2024: this year, the cohort will participate in several hours of English classes per week; will have access to courses on management skills, leadership abilities, and external communications; and will attend retreats guided by local facilitators, focused on building resilience in the face of systemic discrimination, as well as strengthening networks of personal and professional connections. 

It’s undeniable that Guatemalan women have faced—and will continue to face—systemic discrimination when it comes to seeking leadership roles in impactful, well-paid workplaces, but El Colectivo’s work is providing an opportunity to flip the narrative. By providing educational and networking resources to the women within its organizations, and through making these women’s existing contributions more visible, they can inspire other young girls and Indigenous women to do the same.  

Partner Links: 

MAIA 

WINGS Guatemala 

Women’s Justice Initiative 

Wuqu’ Kawoq