BOSTON, Massachusetts — Violence against women and children is one of the primary issues in Guatemala. According to U.N. Women, Guatemala has one of the “highest rates of violent deaths among women” in the world and little legal and social support. There are many abused young mothers in Guatemala without medical support, education or a community.
I am Hope Guatemala Providing Support
The children of these young mothers and of violent households are also at risk. Guatemalan children face sexual and monetary exploitation, including child labor, human trafficking and child marriage. With many perpetrators going unpunished, these children are often forced to stay in abusive environments. Children from disadvantaged backgrounds are at particular risk, with 68% of Guatemalan children living below the poverty line.
With these issues in mind, the nonprofit organization I am Hope Guatemala provides support systems for young women and children in Guatemala. Through group therapy, interactive workshops and holistic health programs, the organization empowers many young Guatemalans to look forward to a better future. It has mobilized volunteers and doctors on a local and international scale to assist in outreach. Using an educational framework, the organization provides essential tools and raises international awareness about gender-based violence in Guatemala.
In a discussion with The Borgen Project, I am Hope Guatemala provided three impactful stories of survivors. All from disadvantaged backgrounds and unstable homes, these three young Guatemalans are now receiving help and support from the organization.
Luís: Why Mental Health Treatment Matters
Luís is a young man with schizophrenia and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Like many Guatemalans with psychological diagnoses, he did not have access to mental health resources at home. With less than one psychiatrist per every 100,000 people in Guatemala, there is a severe shortage of specialists and properly trained primary care professionals.
Adding to Guatemala’s mental health crisis is the cultural stigma around psychological disorders, with many people associating symptoms with danger or spiritual possession. When Luís began exhibiting violent behavior, his family confined him to a tiny area to protect others and himself. Without an understanding of his son’s condition, his father was violent towards Luís and his mother, eventually abandoning the family altogether.
When Luís’s sister reached out to I am Hope Guatemala earlier this year, a team of doctors and other medical professionals discovered the extent of Luís’s living situation. Unable to afford medicine and showing extreme signs of psychological trauma, Luís could not speak or regulate his behavior. After taking his case, I am Hope Guatemala implemented support systems into Luís’s environment, including psychological intervention, medication and ensuring that his family also receives food donations and better housing.
Pablo: A Case of Generational Trauma
Like Luís, Pablo suffers from mental health disorders and behavioral issues. In school, his ADHD and PTSD attracted bullies and created socialization problems with other people his age. Along with domestic and sexual violence against children, bullying in Guatemalan schools is a leading concern for students’ success and educational development.
While school fostered an unsafe environment for Pablo, he also faced various stressors at home. After Pablo began refusing to visit his mother and showed marks of physical abuse, his grandmother contacted I am Hope Guatemala. Over several sessions, the organization learned that Pablo’s mother was also a victim of violence: after her father sold her into slavery, Pablo’s mother endured twelve years of physical and sexual exploitation. Even after she escaped, Pablo’s mother suffered from unprocessed psychological trauma, which may have contributed to her violent outbursts against her son.
After I am Hope Guatemala learned of Pablo’s situation, they provided care for him and his mother. Pablo’s mother now has free therapy sessions and Pablo will start at a new school next year. While his learning disability previously hindered his education, I am Hope Guatemala will implement therapy, free meals and medical support in his new school to deter bullying and distraction.
Alba: A Young Mother Seeking Legal Justice
The youngest of the three cases, Alba, is a mother under the care of I am Hope Guatemala. Before joining the organization, she suffered from parental neglect and extensive peer pressure. She is among many young mothers in Guatemala who conceived their children involuntarily. As in Alba’s case, most Guatemalan girls under the age of 14 become pregnant through rape, though perpetrators are rarely punished.
After Alba conceived her child, her mother tried using at-home abortion remedies, though she refused to allow Alba to get an abortion once the pregnancy became public news. Ultimately, Alba gave birth to a boy against her will and attempted suicide shortly after. Although she tried to file a complaint with the Public Ministry (MP) regarding her assault, her case was declared untrue, with the judge allegedly attacking her character and values instead of the assailants.
Although Alba is still fighting for legal justice, she is now receiving support from I am Hope Guatemala through free therapy, medical aid, food donations and mentors. Her mother and grandmother also joined the organization’s psychology programs, admitting they had turned against Alba in court and throughout her pregnancy. Alba loves her son but still faces fear and trauma from her attack.
Sparking Hope in Guatemalan Women and Children
In all three stories, the issues of gender-based violence, inadequate legal systems, poverty and lack of resources result in long-term trauma. While there is no easy solution to violence against women and children, I am Hope Guatemala has impacted the lives of numerous victims of violence. By providing resources, education and support, this organization has urged women and children toward a better future.
As I am Hope Guatemala continues to combat violence against women and children, they will need community and international support. Whether that be through spreading awareness, educating others or learning from their model, it is integral that people know about the experiences of so many Guatemalan women and children.
– Anna Lee
Photo: Flickr