Maya women continue to be excluded from political participation in Guatemala; 20% of the recently elected Congress is composed of women, of which only one is an indigenous woman. WJI builds women’s leadership skills, confidence, and knowledge of their rights, so that more women can participate in local decision-making, begin to shift social norms, and transform their communities.

Every year, rural Guatemalans elect a mayor to oversee and represent their communities. Bety Oxi’s husband was elected to the position but left the country shortly after and named Bety to serve in his place. Bety, a Maya Kaqchikel woman and a graduate from WJI’s Women's Rights Education Program, became the first woman from her community to hold the position.

As the only woman among eleven elected officials, Bety’s success in the role illustrates what women can accomplish when they feel empowered to participate in leadership roles. Bety says that recognizing her self-worth is one of the greatest lessons learned from WJI’s workshops, "as women, we matter.” She notes that before participating in WJI’s programs, she believed she had no value.

Machista and patriarchal attitudes are prevalent in rural Guatemala and for Bety, occupying a public position has been a challenge. She has faced criticism that targets not just her abilities as a leader, but the simple fact that she is a woman. She says that if she had not received training from WJI, she would have never been brave enough to serve in public office. A testament to her determination, Bety has built strong relationships with her male colleagues, who support and encourage her.

Bety is succeeding in a role traditionally reserved for men and she has done so with confidence and courage. She says she feels fortunate that women in her community now see her as a role model.