UK Minister of State endorses project to prevent sexual violence in Guatemala
The Minister of State for Latin America at the Foreign & Commonwealth Office, Hugo Swire MP, visited the project “Guatemala Never Again”, an initiative funded by the UK aimed at empowering victims of sexual violence in Guatemala’s countryside.
Hugo Swire
The Minister visited the implementer’s offices in Chimaltenango, the National Union of Guatemalan Women (UNAMG, by its acronym in Spanish), a feminist organisation that works to promote ethnic diversity and social, political and cultural transformation. He also witnessed a Mayan religious ceremony.
The project aims to empower victims of sexual violence by improving communication and breaking taboos within the communities through participatory theatre and artistic workshops in three Guatemalan regions (western, north-east and central region). The project will run for one year and has received US$40,000 from the UK’s global fund to Prevent Sexual Violence in Conflict Initiative (PSVI).
Guatemala is a PSVI priority country and participated in the international conference held in London from 10-13 June. Government and civil society representatives engaged in a constructive dialogue that included the participation of Mayra Coc, an indigenous girl from Baja Verapaz, as the voice of the new generation of Guatemalans.