Indigenous women, emerging leaders in their communities,
learn about women rights
Brígida Gómez is a young mother living in the municipality of Yajalón, in Chiapas, Mexico. Like many women in her community, she did not question the violence she experienced, did not express her feelings in front of others, and did not know about the bigger struggle to defend her rights. Now, she is a leader and example in her community.
“I have felt changes with myself and my family. Now I have the confidence to express what I feel, and it comforts me to share experiences with my colleagues, even if it is from a distance.”
Thanks to your support through One Equal Heart, Brígida has participated in the Voces Mesoamericanas’ School of Community Feminism. After attending the first meeting of the School, Brígida realized the importance of believing in herself and how essential it is for her to help other women do the same. "Carrying out our own struggle is very important; this strengthens us as women. In reencountering ourselves, we can then share from that inner strength with those around us."
Attending the School's sessions has had a positive impact on Brigida's self-esteem. She now feels much more confident to express and share what she thinks and feels with other women who have suffered violence like her.
“I am very excited about the space we create with our sisters. I want to share what I know, what I feel and think so that more women are encouraged to attend the School and thus realize that together we can improve our lives.”
The School of Community Feminism has become a new space for women to gather and learn together as they seek to live more autonomously. Although they are women from different contexts, they all share the same objective: learning about their rights and applying them in their daily lives, and then sharing what they earn with other women in their communities.