In the last three years, 1,850 Mayan women have sought support from the “Sanando Corazones” (Healing Hearts) Indigenous Women’s House to confront the violence they suffer, often in their own homes.
“We are women who fight for our community, we deserve to be respected and not subjected to violence, we want to be heard,” said María Liria Fabiola May Canul, director of the House and coordinator of the Alternative Center for Integral Indigenous Development (Centro Alternativo de Desarrollo Integral Indígena: Cadin).
With the support of these institutions, many women have found not only legal and psychological advice but also opportunities to learn trades that help them build an independent life.
Despite the progress, the coordinator acknowledged that the struggle has not been easy. The women who make up Cadin have faced criticism and underestimation of their work, but they continue forward, motivated by the success stories of those who have managed to get ahead.
In addition to seeking justice in formal instances, she emphasized the importance of community justice. In some cases, interventions by local authorities, such as commissioners who supported women rather than ignored them, have made a difference.
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