CONTEXT
Guatemala endured a 36-year armed conflict, from 1960 to 1996.
During this time, the military committed massive human rights violations and a genocide against the Mayan people. An estimated 200,000 people were killed. The war was characterized by mass forced displacement, in some cases to accommodate extractive industries, further exacerbating longstanding colonial dynamics and social tensions. Despite the 1996 peace accords, Guatemala continues to struggle with violence, impunity, corruption and a political elite that favours business interests over human rights. Structural inequities disproportionately affect marginalized communities and groups advocating for change often face violent repression.
Social movements persevere to address unresolved historical and structural issues while tackling growing economic inequality and threats to democracy.
Grassroots groups—including Inter Pares counterparts—defend and promote human rights, supporting communities as they pursue justice and equity in Guatemala.
OUR WORK IN GUATEMALA
We collaborate with three counterparts in Guatemala— Asociación Lambda, La Red de Organizaciones de Mujeres del Ixcán (ROMI) and RUDA—to support communities as they pursue justice and equity and navigate post-conflict challenges.
Lambda is an LGBTQI+-led organization that upholds the dignity of gender-diverse people, while promoting their visibility and citizenship participation to ensure their access to justice and services. With other local organizations, Lambda leads the Observatorio, which documents violence against LGBTQI+ people in the country. ROMI is a women-led grassroots network in the municipality of Ixcán that promotes women’s political participation and highlight their leadership in territorial defense. ROMI also plays a key role in accompanying survivors of sexual and gender-based violence and eliminating barriers to sexual and reproductive health and rights. RUDA is a feminist media outlet that is dedicated to highlighting women’s struggles and resistance in Guatemala. Ruda’s work promotes historical memory and creates connections between historical inequities and contemporary challenges.
