Land of Women
Chiapas, Mexico
In 1994, the indigenous communities of Chiapas launched an independence movement after decades of neglect by the Mexican government. The last 12 years have been marked by violence as the Mexican government fights the Zapatista National Army of Liberation in Chapas.
Through disappearances, torture and divisiveness
the Mexican army tries to intimidate the indigenous population and
prevent solidarity with the Zapatista movement. Amidst this violence,
indigenous women formed a political force with Land of Women and became a key organizer in Chiapas.
In the Tzetzal Mayan language, K'inal Antsetik means "Land of Women," a
fitting description for a group that is all about reclaiming the
"space" that has been denied them: the land itself, as well as equal
access to the political, economic and social spheres. The Global Fund
first awarded the organization a grant in 1996 to bring together
dispersed indigenous women's groups at a national conference.
Two years
later, with a renewal grant from the Global Fund, Land of Women initiated a
nationwide human rights monitoring program. The group's interviews of
more than 40 indigenous women in militarized zones prompted
sanctions against the Mexican government for its human rights
violations. The group has sponsored workshops
about a government transportation and industrial program called "Plan
Puebla Panama," which is expected to displace indigenous communities in
nine Mexican states.
As Land of Women's work on the political front continues, the group remains
steadfastly committed to improving the status of women. Providing technical assistance to cooperatives of women artisans helps
them gain a greater degree of economic independence.
As younger women begin to move away from their communities to pursue
higher education and work in the cities, their workshops help assure
that the young leaders leave with a strong sense of their indigenous identity.
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Main Issues:
Economic Justice
Political Participation
Grants Received:
2006 $20,000
2002 $15,000
2001 $8,000
1999 $11,000
1996 $8,000
Since our founding the Global Fund has awarded over $1.5 million to women's
organizations advancing indigenous women's rights in 30 countries.
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