The Women's Justice Initiative encourages women to become financially independent so that they do not have to depend on a partner. In this way, women are more likely to get out of violent or unhealthy relationships, knowing that they have the financial means to survive on their own.

WJI values ​​its local partnerships and encourages women to take advantage of empowerment opportunities outside of our programs. In the municipality of San Juan Comalapa, women participating in WJI programs participated in an initiative promoted by the Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and Food (MAGA), in order to learn to grow and create products at home, such as shampoo and soap. These skills have reduced the need to buy these things at a local market or store, thus generating more savings for the women and their households.

In total, 65 participants from WJI’s Women’s Rights Education Program have been beneficiaries of MAGA. One of WJI's Program Assistants, Lidia Argentina Perén, leads workshops in San Juan Comalapa and encourages women to participate in the MAGA program as a way to exercise their economic rights. Below, she shares her thoughts and some photos from the initiative, highlighting the stories of particular women.

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Women's participation in WJI’s Women’s Rights Education Program involves emotional, behavioral, and decision-making empowerment. Through the program, women learn what their rights are as women and citizens, as well as how to recognize when their rights are violated. Many women face physical, psychological, economic, and sexual violence every day.

Seeing this reality that women live and the work that WJI carries out to empower them in the different communities of San Juan Comalapa, it was necessary to make an alliance with a government institution, the Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and Food, MAGA, and to be able to implement something practical that can generate a livelihood for women and their families, because after knowing their rights, many of them want to be independent so they no longer have to stay in toxic relationships for economic reasons.

Doña Ofelia states that she feels very happy because the family garden has been a source of motivation and inspiration in her life. She says that she is going to continue farming to benefit herself and her family and thanks WJI for all the support it provides to the women of Cojol Juyú. She has grown lettuce and onions.
Doña Ofelia states that she feels very happy because the family garden has been a source of motivation and inspiration in her life. She says that she is going to continue farming to benefit herself and her family and thanks WJI for all the support it provides to the women of Cojol Juyú. She has grown lettuce and onions.
Doña Vidalia is an entrepreneurial woman from Xenimaquín who is one of WJI’s Community Advocates. She has also been a beneficiary of the seeds that MAGA has given to each of the participants. She states that having onions in her house has helped her greatly, because for 2 months she has not had to buy them in the market and has been able to use those savings to purchase other products that she needs. She thanks WJI for the support it has given her.
Doña Vidalia is an entrepreneurial woman from Xenimaquín who is one of WJI’s Community Advocates. She has also been a beneficiary of the seeds that MAGA has given to each of the participants. She states that having onions in her house has helped her greatly, because for 2 months she has not had to buy them in the market and has been able to use those savings to purchase other products that she needs. She thanks WJI for the support it has given her.
Doña Romelia Cúmez from Xiquin Sanaí says that she is very excited about her family garden. She gets up around 5 AM to water her crops so that they are fresh all day and do not wither. In her house, she has cauliflower, broccoli, miltomato, onion, beet and quilete.
Doña Romelia Cúmez from Xiquin Sanaí says that she is very excited about her family garden. She gets up around 5 AM to water her crops so that they are fresh all day and do not wither. In her house, she has cauliflower, broccoli, miltomato, onion, beet and quilete.
María Filomena Sic Gabriel, from the community of Xenimaquin, is an entrepreneurial young woman who hopes to overcome her family’s current economic situation. María states that the family garden has been of great economic help in reducing expenses, because when they need something to prepare at home and cook, she heads to her vegetable garden for healthy eating options. She has also been cultivating extra to be able to sell it and earn an income.
María Filomena Sic Gabriel, from the community of Xenimaquin, is an entrepreneurial young woman who hopes to overcome her family’s current economic situation. María states that the family garden has been of great economic help in reducing expenses, because when they need something to prepare at home and cook, she heads to her vegetable garden for healthy eating options. She has also been cultivating extra to be able to sell it and earn an income.
In this photo, the preparation of chamomile and natural rosemary-scented shampoo was being carried out in the community of Pachitur.
In this photo, the preparation of chamomile and natural rosemary-scented shampoo was being carried out in the community of Pachitur.
In the Xenimaquin community, the participants have been making soap balls. They have also made disinfectant with a floral aroma for cleaning the house.
In the Xenimaquin community, the participants have been making soap balls. They have also made disinfectant with a floral aroma for cleaning the house.
In the communities of Pachitur and Xiquin Sanahí, participants learned to make liquid soap. The women say that they are very grateful for this learning because they use soap every day at home to wash clothes. Not having to buy it is a great financial help.
In the communities of Pachitur and Xiquin Sanahí, participants learned to make liquid soap. The women say that they are very grateful for this learning because they use soap every day at home to wash clothes. Not having to buy it is a great financial help.

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