girls rights Archives - MAIA https://www.maiaimpact.org/tag/girls-rights/ MAIA is a nonprofit organization empowering Indigenous girls in Guatemala through education, leadership, and community development programs. Mon, 09 Mar 2026 16:10:16 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=7.0.2 https://www.maiaimpact.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/512-150x150.jpg girls rights Archives - MAIA https://www.maiaimpact.org/tag/girls-rights/ 32 32 5 Actions By and For Indigenous Women https://www.maiaimpact.org/bloging/5-actions-by-and-for-indigenous-women/ Thu, 05 Mar 2026 16:33:03 +0000 https://www.maiaimpact.org/?p=9649
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5 Actions By and For Indigenous Women

Ensuring Access to Our Rights and Transforming Our Future

Every March 8, International Women’s Day invites us to reflect on our rights—but it is also a powerful call to action. For us at MAIA, talking about rights means talking about real opportunities, informed choices, and building a community rooted in equity.

Indigenous women not only face historical gaps; we also hold knowledge, leadership, and resilience that drive transformation. However, guaranteeing our rights requires creating the conditions that allow us to fully exercise them.

Through our work at MAIA, these are five concrete actions by and for Indigenous women that strengthen our present and project a more equitable future:

1. Quality Education

For us, education is much more than being in a classroom. It is about developing critical thinking, strengthening identity, and expanding possibilities.

When education connects with the realities of the Girl Pioneers and our communities, it becomes a powerful tool for deep transformation. This is especially urgent in Guatemala, where only 2 out of every 10 Indigenous women graduate from highschool. Structural barriers continue to limit dreams and opportunities.

Investing in quality education means ensuring that each Girl Pioneer can break through historical barriers that have imposed limiting roles, strengthen her identity, and gain the tools needed to build the future she envisions for herself—from creating a family on her own terms to achieving financial independence.

2. Strengthening Local Leadership

Local leadership is not small; it is the foundation of sustainable transformation. When an Indigenous woman leads in her community, she inspires others, creating a multiplying effect of change.

Our team—87% of whom are women—share educational practices, experiences, and cultural identity in national and international spaces, exchanging knowledge with other organizations and contributing to broader conversations on education and equity.

3. Empowering Our Voices

Historically, others have spoken for us. Today, we affirm something different: our voices matter and they carry power.

Empowering our voices means creating safe spaces to express ourselves, question, propose, and participate in decisions that affect our lives. It means strengthening self-confidence, honoring our history, and valuing our languages, cultures, and knowledge.

4. Caring for Our Physical and Socioemotional Health

We cannot talk about rights without talking about well-being. At MAIA, we provide an onsite nurse and clinic and organize preventative health fairs—including dentistry, ophthalmology, and vaccinations, among others—for the Girl Pioneers and their families. We also facilitate spaces for mentorship and socioemotional support.

Proper nutrition is also an essential part of this process. Every Girl Pioneer receives a daily nutritious snack and lunch, providing the energy needed to fully engage in her academic journey.

These concrete actions make holistic development possible.

5. Transforming Our Environment

Transformation doesn’t happen in isolation. Close mentorship and guidance for each Girl Pioneer and her family strengthens support networks and builds safer, more equitable environments.

At MAIA, we also invest in the academic preparation and ongoing professional growth of our team. We believe that when women are in continuous learning and professional development, the impact of our work expands. As our team grows stronger, so does the inspiration it brings to the Girl Pioneers and to more women across our communities.

This March 8, we remember that rights become real when opportunities, community, and leadership exist. On March 6, our staff and Girl Pioneers came together for cultural activities and a march through downtown Sololá to raise awareness and create meaningful impact in our community. These moments remind us that actions by and for Indigenous women are not symbolic gestures; they are sustained commitments that open pathways for new generations. We invite you to explore the photo gallery below and witness these moments of collective action.

MAIA staff and Girl Pioneers during our International Women’s Day march through the main streets of Sololá.
MAIA Girl Pioneers created signs highlighting quotes and facts about women they admire.
Our march was filled with energy as we used our voices to inspire more women in our community.
MAIA staff and Girl Pioneers gathered in dialogue spaces to reflect on the role of women in society and how we can transform our communities.
In these spaces, we shared ideas, listened carefully to every voice, and sparked a ripple effect that multiplies change.
We also had cultural activities where creativity and art became powerful tools to express our ideas.
In the play "Kajulew: Tierra y Territorio" by the group Mujeres Ajchowen, two women share stories of inequality and injustice, confronting them with courage, resilience and unity.
Girl Pioneers took the stage to showcase their talents in singing, poetry, and dance—sharing messages of empowerment and motivation.

Join Alianza: Together, We Create Change

The actions we share today are part of an ongoing commitment to the rights and future of Indigenous women. For this work to remain sustainable, we need allies.

Alianza is our recurring giving program, it provides consistent and predictable funding that allows us to plan long-term initiatives and expand our impact. Joining means choosing to be part of a collective effort that believes in real opportunities and lasting change for Girl Pioneers and their communities.

I want to join the Recurring Giving Program

Transformation is something we build together every day. Thank you for being part of it.

]]> Maximize and amplify the transformative power of women  https://www.maiaimpact.org/bloging/maximize-and-amplify-the-transformative-power-of-women/ Sat, 01 Feb 2025 17:36:49 +0000 https://www.maiaimpact.org/?p=8259
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Maximize and amplify the transformative power of women 

MAIA’s Strategic Plan 2025-2029

At MAIA, we constantly innovate and adapt to the changes the world requires. Through a collaborative design process that brought together a diverse range of voices— our staff, the board of directors, Girl Pioneers and their families, allies, partners, and donors— we have created our Strategic Plan 2025-2029. 

This new Strategic Plan 2025-2029 clearly outlines our strategies for achieving long-term impact and systemic change in the communities we serve.

“This new strategic plan reflects our passion for service and our dream of changing and redefining the history of women in our communities, generating an infinite impact. We know that we cannot achieve this vision alone. MAIA’s journey has always been powered by the collective efforts of our Girl Pioneers, staff, families, partners, donors, and allies. Together, we are proving that systemic change is possible when we combine our strengths and resources.”

Andrea Coché, CEO of MAIA

Our vision and mission statement

In this new stage of MAIA, our mission is to maximize and amplify the transformative power of women. Our vision is to create a society with equity and opportunity.

A female leadership model

At MAIA, we believe that women and girls are the solution to creating a better world. That is why we remain girl- and women-centered, and steadfast in our commitment to empowering and giving Indigenous girls access to education—unlocking their potential to lead choice-filled lives and transform their communities.

Over the next five years, we will also invest in the organizational culture, structures, systems, and resources needed to sustain our core work and become one of the best institutions to work at in Guatemala. 

We will formalize and expand our model to enhance staff leadership and strengthen our work as accelerators of underrepresented female leadership. Our impact already extends to Girl Pioneers and their families, and over the next five years, it will also extend to our staff members who have founded, led, and joined mission-driven organizations across Guatemala, showcasing the broader influence of our model. 

 “As an Indigenous woman who works at MAIA, this plan represents an opportunity to empower ourselves and pushes us to go beyond, demonstrating our high capabilities. As an Indigenous social scientist from a rural community, I am very satisfied to contribute to MAIA by ensuring the existence of data, analysis, and dissemination of the impact achieved, as this is a key pillar of the new Strategic Plan. Only in this way can we know that the Strategic Plan is maximizing the potential of women.”

Mayra Choc, Technical Coordinator of Monitoring and Evaluation

Join us in this next chapter — be part of a movement that ensures every Indigenous woman and girl can live a choice-filled life and lead lasting change in her community. Together, we can amplify the infinite impact of our model.

Read our Strategic Plan 2025-2029 HERE!
]]> Transforming Futures: Amelia’s Story https://www.maiaimpact.org/stories/transforming-futures-amelias-story/ Wed, 03 Jul 2024 14:20:46 +0000 https://www.maiaimpact.org/?p=6136
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Transforming Futures: Amelia's Story

From the MAIA Launch Program to Leader of Tomorrow

According to national statistics, Guatemala is home to 4 million Indigenous women, 48% of whom cannot read or write, and fewer than 20% graduate from secondary school. MAIA Girl Pioneers are changing this reality, leading a transformational shift to break cycles of poverty, discrimination, and injustice through education and empowerment.

We nurture the talent of young women to become a generation of leaders who impact their families, communities, the country, and the world. Our unique empowerment model integrates quality education, socioemotional support, and family involvement. 

A key component of this model is the Launch Program, which provides vocational orientation, university preparation, workplace-readiness training, and paid internship experiences. We partner with local, national, and international allies to equip Girl Pioneers with the skills and opportunities they need to succeed.

Amelia’s Story

Amelia is a young Maya Kaqchikel woman, a MAIA Girl Pioneer graduate, and is currently in the Launch Program. She faced the possibility of not continuing her studies after primary school. In her community, many young women do not pursue education due to societal pressures and a lack of opportunities. Few have the power to decide their own future.

“I knew many girls hadn’t even studied because they were women,” shares Amelia. 

Amelia was shy and reserved, but everything changed when she joined the MAIA Impact School. She broke the cycle and became the first daughter in her family to continue her education and graduate from high school.

With the tools and opportunities provided by the MAIA Impact School, Amelia underwent a significant transformation. She began actively participating inside and outside the classroom, developed critical-thinking skills, and discovered her empowered voice. She learned to be strong and self-confident, which helped her make good decisions and pursue her dream of furthering her education.

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Today, Amelia is studying architecture at San Carlos University in Guatemala and has a very clear vision of what her future looks like in five years.

My dreams haven’t changed, but they have evolved and grown as I’ve become more confident. In 5 years, I see myself as a woman with more knowledge and professional skills, in the process of graduating from university. As an architect, I see myself contributing to my community through social projects. I am thrilled that more young women are studying at MAIA, and they motivate me to continue pursuing my dreams as I see myself reflected in them. I wish to inspire many more young women to know the power of their words and voices and be what they dream and decide.

Amelia, MAIA Girl Pioneer Graduate

Amelia’s story is a testament to the power of opportunity. When a girl has access to education and becomes empowered to empower, she will redefine her trajectory and become a catalyst for progress. 

At MAIA, we envision a world where every woman has the opportunity to reach her full potential, is empowered to empower others, and ignites a positive change. By supporting young girls’ aspirations and dreams and developing their empowered voices, we build a better world for all.

Donate now to support more girls like Amelia in reaching their full potential!

Your investment will ignite an impact that will last a lifetime!

Join our mailing list!

You will receive impact updates and inspiring stories directly to your inbox.
Click Here!
]]> MAIA: maximizing potential through education! https://www.maiaimpact.org/bloging/maia-maximizing-potential-through-education/ Mon, 29 Jan 2024 17:06:41 +0000 https://www.maiaimpact.org/?p=4408
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MAIA: maximizing potential through education!

The MAIA and Girl Pioneers’ story

MAIA is not your typical organization. Led by Indigenous women for Indigenous girls, MAIA’s mission is to connect talent with opportunity, maximizing the potential of young women to lead transformational change. We believe that with quality education as their tool against adversity, these bold trailblazers will be reshaping their futures, uplifting their communities, and creating a better world for all of us.

Why Indigenous Girls?

We work in Sololá, one of the poorest regions of Guatemala. Here, most girls are forced to marry or become mothers before they turn 18. Access to education is a privilege. We embarked on this journey with a powerful question driving us: How far could these young women go if they had access to the education they deserve?

We call MAIA’s students Girl Pioneers – because many are the first in their families to continue their education and begin to break cycles of generational poverty.

How do we do it?

We are all about empowering Girl Pioneers to unlock and maximize their full potential! 

Our flagship program is the MAIA Impact School, which is changing the game for education in Guatemala. We serve approximately 250 Girl Pioneers in grades 7-11 through a unique educational approach that focuses equally on academics, socio-emotional intelligence, family engagement, culture, vocal empowerment, student well-being, and sexual and reproductive health.

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Once they graduate, Girl Pioneers can continue to the Launch Year Program during which they gain access to vocational orientation, university preparation, workplace readiness training, and valuable internship experiences in the formal economy through our network of local allies.

 

 

“Accessing education at MAIA is an opportunity for Girl Pioneers to transform their own lives to receive the quality education they deserve to develop their full potential.”

Vilma Saloj, Director of the MAIA Impact School

Learn more about our Impact Model here!

How do we know that it works?

Over the years, we have witnessed significant impact and growth of our model and Girl Pioneers. Our approach is based on evidence, and we invest in professional development to continuously improve and refine our programming.

We have seen firsthand the positive changes that have taken place in the lives of Girl Pioneers, from improvements in academic performance to increased confidence and leadership skills. Girl Pioneers are becoming leaders in their communities, breaking down barriers and taking charge of their futures.

Read more about the impact we are creating!

We are delighted to welcome 88 new Girl Pioneers to the MAIA Impact School in 2024. These brave young women hail from 45 rural communities in Guatemala and are the eighth generation of future female leaders. They are ready to ignite a ripple effect that will lead to a better world for all of us!

When I applied to the MAIA Impact School, I was a bit insecure about the schedule, and the school is a bit far from my house. But I was sure that I would receive a quality education. I got so excited that I won the scholarship. My dream is to become a pediatrician and help families with limited resources. I will achieve this with perseverance and determination.

Fatima, MAIA Girl Pioneer

Empowered Women, an Infinite Impact!

]]> The power of giving opportunities to girls https://www.maiaimpact.org/stories/the-power-of-giving-opportunities-to-girls/ Tue, 21 Mar 2023 00:11:00 +0000 https://www.maiaimpact.org/?p=789
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The power of giving opportunities to girls

LUCERO AND WENDY SPEAK AT THE 2023 CALI REGIONAL EVENT

Lucero and Wendy, Girl Pioneers of the MAIA Impact School, participated as guest speakers at the 2023 Central America Leadership Initiative (CALI) Regional event on March 9. They discussed with fellows, funders, sponsors, and other regional leaders what happens when a girl has access to the opportunities she deserves.

Women’s leadership and voices are fundamental to MAIA’s work and programming. Through our mentorship curriculum, peer-to-peer support network, and monthly family home visits, our goal is that Girl Pioneers develop the internal strength, skills, and emotional intelligence they need to lead. They become empowered to empower.

Lucero and Wendy joined Martha Lidia Oxí, MAIA’s Co-Executive Director of External Relations, and María Kaltschmitt, MAIA board member and CALI fellow, in Antigua (Guatemala) to share their experiences and perspectives on the importance and power of increasing girls’ access to quality opportunities.

“When we ensure support to a girl, we gain a world, a mind, a heart, and a voice. We need to guarantee they are empowered and have a voice, vote, education, freedom, rights, childhood, health, and security,” shared Lucero.

Women are powerful agents of change, and as young female leaders and Girl Pioneers, Lucero and Wendy are demonstrating that increasing women’s leadership and participation at all levels of society is possible.

ADDITIONAL PARTICIPATION & RECOGNITION

]]> Women and girls in science and technology https://www.maiaimpact.org/bloging/women-and-girls-in-science-and-technology/ Fri, 10 Feb 2023 22:10:00 +0000 https://www.maiaimpact.org/?p=7370
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Women and girls in science and technology

Bringing forward sustainable and equitable development.

This year, on the 8th anniversary of the International Day of Women and Girls in Science, we ALL, as an international community, are being asked to focus our attention on how women and girls in science bring everyone forward for sustainable and equitable development.

Women and girls play a critical role in science and technology, and their participation should be strengthened. This is one of the reasons MAIA’s holistic educational model is specifically designed to connect the talents of Girl Pioneers with the opportunities of the 21st century.

A FOCUS ON TECHNOLOGY

We have implemented an innovative curriculum at the MAIA Impact School designed to promote and boost the academic preparation of Girl Pioneers around science and technology. Also, we have an advanced science laboratory, which ensures a focus on creating knowledge and know-how. “It is indispensable to hear future girl leaders’ voices, ideas, and perspectives. They are as capable of critical thinking and innovation as anybody else,” shares Evelyn Pablo, Natural Sciences educator.

Through 2022, in light of the impacts of the digital surge caused by the Covid-19 pandemic, we strengthened the work with our partners at Team4Tech to share innovation and improve teaching and learning. Now curricula for all grade levels include key topics on digital security, such as social media personal safety, online risk mitigation, and developing safety plans. Other allies such as F5, The Harvey Family Foundation, and Honnold Foundation have also been key allies and a network of support for our science curricula and also the improvement of the environmental impact of the Impact School.

WHAT MAKES THIS APPROACH SUCCESSFUL? OUR TEAM OF EDUCATORS

These empowered and inspiring women are not only accompanying Girl Pioneers on their learning journey through scientific fields where girls generally have reduced participation, but are also acting as role models, demonstrating that reversing the status quo is possible. This ethnicity and gender mirroring ensures critical empathy and cultural relevance at every juncture.

We are already doing our part to unleash the untapped talent of these bold young women by providing them with concrete opportunities to become future women scientists. The world cannot wait any longer; learn more and join us!

Empowered Women, an Infinite Impact!

]]> Empowered women and girls make a difference and change the world https://www.maiaimpact.org/bloging/empowered-women-and-girls-make-a-difference-and-change-the-world/ Wed, 07 Sep 2022 18:34:00 +0000 https://www.maiaimpact.org/?p=7424
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Empowered women and girls make a difference and change the world

MAIA leaders explain the importance of being Bridges to Empowerment

Women and girls represent half of the world’s population and therefore also half of its potential.

MAIA is an organization led by Indigenous women for Indigenous women, an innovation hub and education learning laboratory where Girl Pioneers decide to take a courageous bet and blaze a bold new trajectory.

We know that these brave young women already have in them the talent and capacity to pursue their dreams and ignite positive change. We fulfill our role as one part of the Bridge To Empowerment by connecting their skills with the opportunities of the 21st century.

Girl Pioneers are empowered to empower. They are the solution we urgently need to build a more inclusive and sustainable tomorrow.

Today and every day, we support women’s empowerment and stand by Girl Pioneers as we build bridges toward opportunity. Let’s build a brighter future together!

Empowered Women, an Infinite Impact!

]]> Family Engagement: Strengthening the Role of Fathers in Improving Girls’ Education https://www.maiaimpact.org/bloging/family-engagement-strengthening-the-role-of-fathers-in-improving-girls-education/ Sat, 11 Jun 2022 23:08:00 +0000 https://www.maiaimpact.org/?p=7516
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Family Engagement: Strengthening the Role of Fathers in Improving Girls' Education

There are many perspectives when it comes to educating future generations. MAIA’s innovative educational model integrates high-quality academics with family engagement and support.

 

 

“The presence and involvement of parents, both mothers and fathers, in the educational trajectory of each Girl Pioneer is very important. It is about the emotional attention they give to their daughters and the motivation to continue working toward their dreams and goals,” shares Isabel de la Cruz, Director of Socioemotional Development. “The involvement of parents has a great impact on each girl. When the family becomes their network of support, these brave young women are encouraged to be more resilient and perseverant,” continues Isabel.

The norm is to see mothers as the ones primarily involved in children’s education and development. At MAIA, we are challenging the status quo by “affirming, since the very beginning, the importance of the physical and emotional presence of both parents (or caretakers) to their daughters with their schooling, the transition to adolescence, the support during challenging times, and the celebration of achievements,” affirms Isabel. MAIA’s mentors are the ones who keep families motivated and connected to ensure they continue working towards a new shared vision of their future.

 

 

 

 

 

Since Ana became a Girl Pioneer and joined the MAIA Impact School, we have seen her father transitioning and adapting to a new ideology of a father’s role: one where both parents have shared responsibilities. Initially, he was not participating as frequently. Today he has been closer to his family, actively participating in visits and activities concerning Ana’s well-being and academic progression, and demonstrating unconditional support for her to achieve her goals and dreams. This has strengthened family unity.

 

 

 

 

 

 

For this family, the change of roles has been significant. Amanda’s mother has a business to take care of from their home, so her father’s support has been fundamental in her growth and evolution. He has shown openness to many topics that enhance participation and highlight the importance of girls’ education. He encourages his daughter to achieve her goals, demonstrating his role as her ally and advisor.

Empowered Women, an Infinite Impact!

]]> Ruby, a Girl Pioneer who is changing her path https://www.maiaimpact.org/stories/ruby-a-girl-pioneer-who-is-changing-her-path/ Wed, 25 May 2022 18:21:00 +0000 https://www.maiaimpact.org/?p=5508
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Ruby, a Girl Pioneer who is changing her path

The MAIA and Girl Pioneers’ story

“How to use a computer is my favorite thing I have learned since I joined the MAIA Impact School,” says Ruby, a 14-year-old Indigenous girl. She is the oldest of 4 siblings and one of the 16 members of her family (including her grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins, parents, and siblings) who live in the same house in a rural community in Sololá.

After the selection process, in 2022, Ruby is a Girl Pioneer part of Proyecto Impulso, MAIA’s year-long preparatory program. She has been learning how to speak English and use a computer, specifically how to write and use the keyboard. She practices both skills at home with her youngest brothers and her mother.

Before MAIA, she used to study in the public school system of Guatemala, and for her, “it was very hard to understand most classes.” Her main tasks were focused on doing house chores: cooking, cleaning, and taking care of her younger brothers and baby sister. Today, her main task is to do her homework and practice her English with her family.

“For me, it’s very important to have the support from my family and especially from my mother. She was the one who encouraged me to study and apply to MAIA.”

“I’m happy here at MAIA, and I don’t feel like I’m missing anything.”

Empowered Women, an Infinite Impact!

]]> Adela – Her journey to discover her individuality and her voice! https://www.maiaimpact.org/stories/adela-her-journey-to-discover-her-individuality-and-her-voice/ Sat, 19 Feb 2022 16:50:00 +0000 https://www.maiaimpact.org/?p=5466

Adela – Her journey to discover her individuality and her voice!

The MAIA and Girl Pioneers’ story

Adela, like many Indigenous girls in Guatemala, was born in a society “where talent abounds [..] but women are silenced and prevented from exploring arts.” 

Her transformational journey started long before becoming a Girl Pioneer. During “her search for answers about her identity, her voice, her resistance,” Adela came to discover a powerful way to express herself thanks to her father who first put a notebook and a pen in her hands.

“I didn’t understand the power these tools had, nor did I imagine that they would change my life.”

Adela, Girl Pioneer of the MAIA Impact School

Since then, Adela has been courageously exploring society, culture, and her role in it by telling the story of her childhood dreams through drawing and writing. When she then joined the MAIA Impact School, she met educators, classmates, and friends “realizing that they shared the same experiences and stories. Those of women who despite their struggles are forced to be in the dark and invisible.”

Motivated by a supportive network, Adela was met with the right opportunities to unlock her infinite potential when she joined the journalism program at the MAIA Impact School. This course is aimed at training Girl Pioneers to write opinion articles that will be then shared in local, national, and international media outlets.

Today Adela is using her voice by writing for herself and igniting social change – “I consider art as a friend, a world, a political weapon and a door to let out what is inside me!”

Read Adela’s full essay called Many ways to tell stories, directly from the latest edition of the Entremundos magazine here.

Empowered Women, an Infinite Impact!

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