One after another, they head for a hotel in the Guatemalan capital. These women have traveled far: from Ecuador, Mexico, or Colombia. Some wear a traditional Mayan huipil, some carry colorful bags, while others drag their suitcases. But they all have a smile on their face, overjoyed to meet up for the second time. They represent the grassroots organizations supported by Feminists in Action in Latin America. In October 2023, they mobilized their collective intelligence to develop a joint advocacy project for the region.
THE VOICES OF WOMEN AND FEMINISTS OF ABYA YALA
In November 2022, the women and feminists of Abya Yala had already voiced their joint commitment to defending women’s sexual and reproductive rights and attending the UN regional conference in this area: the Montevideo+10 consensus conference.
Read also: Ecuador, the meeting of women and feminists at Abya Yala
Quick history: the Montevideo Consensus on Population and Development is a regional agreement that emerged from the first meeting of the Regional Conference on Population and Development in Latin America and the Caribbean (2013). The Consensus sets out measures for the regional implementation of the Cairo Plan of Action, which addresses women’s health, legal and social status, and social development.
This first session was a success – the participating organizations had the opportunity to exchange experiences, network, and identify common issues. Indeed, the challenges are considerable. The team is now firmly united behind a common cause and is ready to step up gears under the leadership of Red de Salud, the regional expert in advocacy.
PROMOTING AN INTERSECTIONAL APPROACH TO WOMEN’S RIGHTS
In the same spirit, these organizations kicked off the working week with a Mayan ceremony. Gathered around an altar of flowers, candles, corn, and bean seeds, the women closed their eyes, focused, and anchored themselves in the present moment, hand in hand. Happy to be reunited, the participants were ready for the next step. After a rapid recap of the previous year’s decisions, it was time for the group to establish its identity and added value: What do we stand for? With what methodology do we approach it? What are our core values? What is our political positioning?
They have common battles, yet, in a way, their differences are also what binds them together. Thus, these women decided to work towards an intergenerational and intersectional vision and speak with one unified voice. Whether they are young, lesbian, Afro-descendant, disabled, or from an indigenous community, women must all enjoy the same sexual and reproductive rights!
“It was important for me to attend this meeting with women from different organizations, cultures, and opinions because this whole process prepares us for the 10th-anniversary conference of the Montevideo Consensus so that we can be there and use our voice to demand that governments honor the agreements and address the concerns of indigenous peoples, education, sexual and reproductive health, and all women’s issues.” Elizabeth Cabrera, Nim Alaxik, Guatemala.
In this regard, the first step was to analyze and take stock collectively of the specific discrimination women suffer every day. This phase formed the basis of an intersectional feminist approach and the focus of the network’s Montevideo Consensus conference in Santiago de Chile in November 2023.
Save the dates: November 14 and 15!
Check out our Resources section, featuring updates on how these organizations prepared for the Montevideo+10 Consensus Conference.
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