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INDEX

Acronyms 3Presentation 5General Context 6Situation and status of indigenous women 8

• PoliticalParticipation11• Education15• Health20• Violenceagainstwomenandaccesstojustice25• Criminalization31• Jobs34

Conclusions 35Annexes 36listoftheorganizationparticipantsinshadowreport37

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ACRONYMS

ANN New Nation Alliance (Political Party)ATRAHDOM AssociationofDomestic,SpecialServicesandDrawback

IndustryWorkers.CAIMUS CentersforWomenVictimsofViolenceCEDAW ConventionontheEliminationofallFormsof

DiscriminationagainstWomenCICIG UNInternationalCommissionagainstImpunityin

GuatemalaCODISRA PresidentialCommissionAgainstDiscriminationand

RacismCONALFA NationalLiteracyCommissionCREO Commitment,RenewalandOrder(PoliticalParty)DDHH HumanRightsDEMI IndigenousWomenOmbudsmanDIGEMOCA DirectorateGeneralforQualityMonitoringandVerificationENCOVI NationalSurveyofLivingConditionsENSMI NationalMaternalandChildHealthSurveyFODIGUA GuatemalanIndigenousDevelopmentFundGAM MutualSupportGroupGGM GuatemalanWomen’sGroupINACIF NationalInstituteofForensicSciencesINDH NationalIndicesofHumanDevelopmentINE NationalStatisticsInstituteITS Sexually Transmitted InfectionsMINEDUC MinistryofEducationMP PublicministryMSPAS MinistryofPublicHealthandSocialAssistanceMVM ViolentDeathofWomenILO InternationalLaborOrganizationWMO MunicipalOfficeofWomenUNWOMEN UnitedNationsEntityforGenderEqualityandthe

EmpowermentofWomenOSAR SexualandReproductiveHealthCitizensObservatoryPNC CivilnationalpoliceUNDP UnitedNationsDevelopmentProgram

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REDOMISAR NetworkofIndigenousWomen’sOrganizationsfor ReproductiveHealth

SESAN SecretariatofFoodandNutritionSecuritySNIVCM NationalInformationSystemonViolenceagainstWomenTSE SupremeElectoralTribunalUNICEF UnitedNationsChildren’sFundURNG GuatemalanNationalRevolutionaryUnitHIV HumanimmunodeficiencyvirusWINAQ PoliticalMovement

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PRESENTATION

In2015, theStateofGuatemalasubmitted its8thand9thcombinedreportfortheyears2009-2014,withintheframeworkoftheperiodicreviewsofStatesbytheCEDAWCommitteeandalsoaspartofarticle18oftheConventionontheEliminationofallFormsofDiscriminationagainstWomen-CEDAW- (for itsacronyminEnglish).

For the organizations that make up the Tz’ununija’ Indigenous Women’sMovement,thisshadowreportrecoversimportancebecauseitpresentstherealityof the situationand the conditionsof indigenouswomen in the country,withinformation emanating from the communities through local liaisons, leaders,memberorganizationsanddifferentspacesfordialogue,analysisanddiscussion,promotedbytheTz’ununijaMovement,suchastheFirstNationalCongressofMayan,GarífunaandXinkaWomenin2,015;theconsultationmeetingsontheinitiative topromoteageneral recommendationon indigenouswomenby theCEDAWCommitteeduring2015-2016;apubliccelebrationofIndigenousWomen’sDay - September 5, 2016; and several parallel processes that the Tz’ununijaMovement carries out at the local level to verify, accompany and defend therights of indigenouswomen. These activities havemade it possible to obtainreliableinformationonthestateofimplementationoftheactionsproposedbytheConventiontopreventanderadicatediscriminationinallitsformstowardswomenand inparticularof indigenouswomen,basedon the reality they livedailyandfacingtherecommendationsthattheCEDAWCommitteehasissuedtothestateofGuatemala.

This report will take into account the recommendations emanating fromthe forty-third session of theCEDAWCommittee derived from the 7th reportpresentedby theStateofGuatemala in2009,aswellas thecontentsof its8thand9threports,whichwillbecontrastedwithinformationofthenationalreality,statisticaldataandvariousreportsonspecifictopics.

Women’s organizations welcome the fact that the CEDAW Committeeexpresses special concern about the situation ofMayan, Garífuna and XinkawomenandinsistsonmotivatingtheStatetorespondtoadvances,obstaclesandchallengesintheimplementationofcertainarticlesoftheConvention,inordertounderstandthetruescopeoftheproblemofdiscriminationinthecountry.

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IndigenouswomencontinuetobeconcernedthattheState’sresponsetotheCEDAWCommitteeislimitedtolistingasetofactions,listingeducationandtrainingactivities;likethe7th,the8thand9threportslackdatadisaggregatedbyethnicityanddonotdemonstrate thatpublicpolicies, laws, actions,programsandprojectshavearealimpactonthelivesofindigenouswomen.

GENERAL CONTEXT

Guatemala is the most populous country in Central America, with apopulationof15,607,640in2014,ofwhich50.79%arewomen,thatis,thecountryhas7,927,951women1.Indigenouspopulation,accordingtoofficialdatafromthe2002Censusis41%,whileindatafromunofficialstudiesittotals66%.Guatemalahas22indigenouspeoplesofMayandescentplustheXinka,GarífunaandMestizopeoples.About22languagesofMayanoriginarerecognized,plustheGarífuna.ThelinguafrancaisSpanish.

GuatemalaleadssomeoftheworstsocialindicatorsintheAmericas,intermsofpovertyandinequality,withaGiniindexof0.628.Thus,halfofGuatemalanchildrenunder5yearsoldsufferfromchronicmalnutrition.2And,thenumberof persons living in hunger exceeds 3 million, where indigenous and farmerpopulation is the most affected. Although malnutrition mortality has beendecliningsteadilyinrecentyears,in2014itstillrepresentedarateof9.13.

The National Survey of Living Conditions (Encovi- 2014) reports that theincidenceofpoverty among the indigenouspopulation is 79.2%, equivalent toanumber1.7timeshigherthanamongthenon-indigenouspopulation(46.6%).That is, four out of five indigenous people are in poverty. For the indigenouspopulation,povertyhasincreased,from77.3%in2000,to75.0%in2006andto79.2in2014.

Themajority of the indigenous population is concentrated in thewesterndepartments of the country, Totonicapán (97%), Sololá (96%), Quiché (89%),

1 Republic of Guatemala: Demographic and Vital Statistics 2014, National Statistic Institute -INE-. 2 UNICEF, 20103 http://www.ine.gob.gt/index.php/estadisticas/tema-indicadores

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Huehuetenango (57%), Quetzaltenango and Chimaltenango (78%); and in thenorthernregion,AltaVerapaz(90%)andBajaVerapaz(90%)4.

For the non - indigenous population, extreme poverty increased by fivepercentagepoints,from7.8%to12.8%,between2000and2014.Thisincreaseinpovertyischaracterizedbyconcentratinginruralareas5.

Thetablebelowshowstheincidenceofextremepovertyinthedepartmentswiththehighestindigenouspopulation:AltaVerapaz53.6%,Sololá39.9%,Quiché41.8%, Chiquimula 41.1%, Totonicapan 41.1%, Izabal 35.2%, Huehuetenango28.6%andSanMarcos22%.*Itisimportanttonotethatthesedepartmentshavepresenceof theXinka andGarífunapopulations. (Thedarker the color,morepovertyisreported).

Table No. 16 IncidenceRateofExtremePovertyperDepartmentRepublicofGuatemala,Encovi2014,inpercentages

4 Encuesta Nacional de Condiciones de Vida –ENCOVI-, Pobreza y Desarrollo, Un enfoque Departamental, Gua-temala, Noviembre 2011, Instituto Nacional de Estadística- INE- {National Living Conditions Survey, ENCOVI, Poverty and Development, A Departmental Approach, Guatemala, November 2011}5 Please refer to Table No.16 Table 1. Source: National Statistic Institute, 2014

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TheUnitedNationsDevelopmentProgram(UNDP)2013HumanDevelopmentReport,reportsthatin155ofthecountry’s333municipalities(therearecurrently340), the majority of the indigenous population (approximately 80%) live inpoverty,withonlyQ24perday(US$3.13),inthebestofcases,fortheirsurvival.

Situation and Status of Indigenous Women:

Thesituationofindigenouspeoples,particularlywomen,hasbeenaggravatedby thepolitical situation in the country, characterizedby corruption scandals,megaprojects,openpitmining,femicideandthepersecutionofwomenleadersdefendingthelandandterritory.Lackofworkremainsaconstantinthecountryaswellas segregationistpolicies thatdonot contribute to thedevelopmentofindigenouswomen.7

Thestigma towards theMayan,GarífunaandXinkawomen inGuatemalaCity is constant; there has been aggressions by themunicipal police towardsindigenouswomenwho,duetopovertyandextremepoverty,havemigratedtothe city and resorted to “informal” trade for theirpersonal and their family’ssurvival.Theyhavesufferedharassment in thepublic thoroughfare, theyhavebeenforciblyremovedfrompublicspaces,theyhavebeensubjectedtophysicalviolenceandhumiliatingacts, by throwing their saleson theground, forciblydepriving them of their belongings and confiscating them, even if they areminors,exacerbatingtheuseofpublicforce.Thishashappenedinstreetsandmunicipalparksbasedontheargumentofbeingagainstpublicdecorationandterritorialregulation.8ThesecaseshavebeenreportedinthecitiesofGuatemalaandAntiguaGuatemala,9,10(thelateraplaceofgreattouristinflux).Inthissense,theStatehasnot attempted to respond to the social and economic crisis thatmainlyaffectsindigenouswomenandtheirfamilies.

7 http://www.guatevision.com/departamental/discriminacion-mujer-quiche/ (Discrimination against a quiche wo-man news clip) 8 http://www.prensalibre.com/guatemala/comunitario/la-conflictiva-relacion-del-alcalde-y-vendedores {The conflict ridden relation between the Mayor and street vendors}9 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yt2yThYItII10 http://www.soy502.com/articulo/disturbios-antigua-guatemala-desalojo-vendedores-informales-50172 {Street vendors are evicted in Antigua Guatemala}

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The COMMITTEE commented on its observation on Indigenous Women as follows: “Adopt concrete and specific measures, as well as evaluation criteria and timelines, to accelerate the improvement of the conditions of indigenous women in all areas of life. Ensure that women of the Maya, Xinka and Garifuna have full access to land, education and health services, and can participate fully in decision-making processes.”11

Improvementofthelivingconditionsofindigenouswomencannotoccurifwearestillbeingrelegatedfromthepoliticallifeofthecountry.Ifitisthroughpaternalisticprograms, ifhealthposts lackpersonnel,materials andadequatebudgets to function properly; if laws and public policies deny the need tobe inclusive, if themedia allow the use of images that violate the dignity ofindigenouswomen,ifthereisnorecognitionoftherightofself-determinationofthepeopleinrelationtotheirlandandterritory;iftheintellectualpropertyoftheirknowledge,artandcultureisnotrecognized;iftheeducationsystemmovesawayfromthecultureofthepeople;iftheStateandsocietydonotunderstandthatthereisaworldviewdifferentfromtheWesternone,amongotheraspects.

According to article 1, discrimination means “any distinction, exclusion or restriction based on sex ... on the political, economic, social, cultural and civil spheres or in any other sphere.” The Convention positively affirms the principle of equality when urging State Parties to “take all appropriate measures, including those of a legislative nature, to ensure full development and progress of women, in order to guarantee the exercise and enjoyment of human rights and of the fundamental freedoms under equal conditions “(Article 13).

Discrimination extends in Guatemala for different reasons: ethnic,socioeconomicorgender.Gender inequalities canbeobserved in the countryin almost all areas. TheNational Indices of HumanDevelopment (INDH foritsSpanishacronym)reporthowthecountry’sstructureallowsandencourageswomen to be discriminated against under similar conditions when accessingservices or decision-making that affects them. In this scheme of exclusions,indigenouswomenaresufferinggreaterdisadvantages.12

11 Recommendations. The Committee, in its 43rd session held Jan. 19 through Feb. 6 2009, examined the VII Periodic Report issued by the State of Guatemala in light of seven alternative reports from civil society and two UN Reports. UN Doc. CEDAW/C/GUA/CO/7]12 Synopsis of Human Development in Guatemala, United Nations Development Programa, 2014, National Human Development Report. www.desarrollohumano.org.gt

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Eventhoughtheindigenouspopulationisthemajority,theStateofGuatemalastillhasnotadvancedinadoptinglegislativeorothermeasures,tosanctionandprohibit discrimination against indigenous women who are living its effectsdaily.Onthecontrary,beingaMoniststate,foundedunderaliberalideologyofnationalhomogeneity,denyingtheinclusionofgenderandethnicityissaying,“Weareallequal.”

InthecaseoftheGarífunapopulation, therehasbeenanincreaseoftheirpresenceinGuatemalaCitysince2010,mainlyofwomenandchildrenwhoarrivewiththepurposeofseekingajobopportunity.Giventhedifficultyofenteringthe“formal” labormarket,womenhaveopted tooffer theirservicesashairstylistsononeofthemainstreetsofGuatemalaCity.Itisinthiscontextthattheyreportdiscriminatorytreatmenttowardsthem,infringingtheirrights.

“It seems that the interactionbetweencity residents and theGarífunahasoccurred too slowly. Ignoranceof culture is themainbarrierbetween thecityandus,butIthinkwecanbegintonarrowthatgap.Livingwithotherethnicitiesisnotnewforus;wehavedone it formorethan200years. It’s justaquestionthat thecitizensacceptgivingus thenecessaryspace,” saysCarlosCaballeros,presidential commissioner against Discrimination and Racism. There is a lotofmistrustwhen itcomes tobefriendorgive thema job, saysMaríaTrinidadGutiérrez,headoftheCommissionAgainstDiscriminationandRacism.”13

TheUnitedNationsPermanentForum independent expert on IndigenousIssues, Álvaro Pop, states “discrimination inGuatemala occurs automatically... when social indicators reveal that indigenous people live shorter lives andin worse conditions than the Ladino population, which are the principaldiscriminators,thisisreflectedinthenumberofchildrendyingfrommalnutritioninGuatemala,inexploitedadultsorthoseworkingintheinformalsectorinthecountry...Guatemalaisacountryrecognizedbyitsmultiethnic,multilingualandmulticulturalcharacter,howevertheofficiallanguagecontinuestobeSpanish,leaving aside the application of Decree 19-2003, Law of National Languages,

13http://www.prensalibre.com/revista_d/Garifunas-diaspora_garifuna-emigrantes_garifunas_0_1021697993.html {Garifuna Diaspora – migrants}

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whichestablishes thatpublic services shouldbeprovided in the languagesofeachlinguisticcommunity(articles14,15and16).”Ontheotherhand,theStateofGuatemalahasnotadvancedintroducingaprohibitionofdiscriminationagainstwomen,andevenless,definingitasacrimeinitsnationallegislation.

POLITICAL PARTICIPATION:Article 7

In the 2011 elections, the number of registered women (able to vote andparticipate)increased,becomingagreaterpercentagethanmen(51%)accordingto the Electoral Registrar. This tendency continued during the 2015 generalelections(54%). However,womenarestill underrepresentedinelectedpositions,reachingonly12.7%ofrepresentationintheNationalCongress(with20of158seats).Thenumberofindigenouswomenelectedfellfrom4(2.53%)in2007to3(1.89%)in2011to1in2015(0.58%).Inthemunicipalgovernments,onlysevenmayoralties (2%)areoccupiedbywomenoutofa totalof336,onemorecomparedtoresultsofthe2007elections,butnonebyindigenouswomen.EthnicasymmetryinCongressisasignofexclusionandracismthatcharacterizebothGuatemalansocietyandthepoliticalsysteminparticular.

Inthesameframework,thereweretwoindigenouswomenascandidatestothehighestpositions:RigobertaMenchúTumsupportedbythecoalitionWINAQ-URNG-MAIZ-ANNforthePresidencyoftheRepublicandPetronaLauraReyesQuinobytheCREOparty,forthevicepresidency.Thesecandidaturesrepresentan important fact, because their mere presence introduced themes such asracismanddiscriminationagainstindigenouspeoples.Italsomarkedapoliticalpolarization because each was representing ideologically different options:Menchú leading a coalition of herWinaq party united with left-wing forcessuchasURNG-MAIZandANN.InthecaseofReyes,withapartythatsupportsconservativeprinciplesandideologies,capitalistsandliberals.

Inthecaseofthe22departmentalgovernors,therepresentationofwomenappointed since 1986 to 2011 has been scarce. For the 2012-2016 period ofgovernment, three indigenous women were named, but only two of themremainedinoffice.14

14 When the report was written, during the current administration (2016-2020) only one indigenous woman had beennamed gobernor. She was discriminated by Congressional Representatives using disriminating and racist sen-tences, because she did accept political pressures.

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Thedatapointsnotonly togenderbutalso toethnicdiscrimination,witha negligible participation, and within the same gender, it becomes “class”discrimination:indigenouswomenparticipatetoalesserdegreeinpoliticsthanwomeningeneral(takingintoaccountthepercentageofindigenouspopulation).That’sthereasontheirpoliticalrightsaremoreviolatedandhasconsequencesintheenjoymentofotherrights.Womenthathavemoreaccesstopublicpositions,have a higher level of education, are professionals or traders with a highereconomic level.This isgreatlyrelatedwiththeprevailing logicof thepoliticalparties.15

Discriminationimpliesthat,intheparties’candidates’lists,theyareplacedinpositionswhere it iscertain that theywillnotbeelected (either innationalor electoral district lists). In another particularly serious issue, they maychoosetoparticipateinpublicmanagement:howeveritmaygeneratedomesticfamilyviolence(withspouseswhoseeandfeellossofcontroloverwomen)andincreasinglywidespreadharassmentandpoliticalviolence.

Political parties that reach the exercise of public power impel politicalfavoritism,politicizingcommunalorganizations, leadersandactivistsandthusdeteriorating the social fabric and the credibility of political participation.AlthoughthereisanarticulatedagendaofMayan,GarífunaandXinkawomen,itisnotpresentintheplansofpoliticalparties,soitisinferredthatthewomen’sagendaisnotapriorityfortheparties.

During the proselytizing campaigns, women are politicized by politicalparties,whichtakeadvantageoftheneedsofindigenousfamiliesbyprovidingfood,cashandothergifts,whileintheexerciseofpowerthebenefitsdonotreachthecommunities.

One area that could be an opportunity for indigenous women are theMunicipal Offices of Women - OMM -, unfortunately, these are subject tomunicipalauthoritiesandthereforerespondtopartisaninterests.

15 Intercultural citizenship, Contributions from the political participation of indigenous peoples in Latin America, UN Development Program, (UNDP) 1UN Plaza, New York, 10017, Authors Ferran Cabrero (coordinator), Álvaro Pop, Zully Morales, Monica Chuji and Carlos Mamani, First Edition, May 2013, Printed in Quito, Ecuador

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Garífunawomenarealsoconcerneddue to theabsenceof theirpeople inpublicpoliciesandbecause their image isusedonly in thecontextofculturalactivitiesandtopromotetourism.Theybelievethatthereisalsoaresponsibilityby the media in the loss of the Afro-descendant woman’s value in political,proselytizedevents.Atthenationallevel,theGarífunapopulationisrecognizedasaculturalface,andtheirtraditionaldancesareoftenusedtocreatesexualsymbolswiththewomen’sbody.However,thegreatneedstoensurethedevelopmentoftheGarífunawomenarenotasubjectofdebatebypoliticians,ignoringpendingissuessuchasextremepoverty,childmalnutrition,violenceagainstwomenandHIV,amongothers.

AlthoughtheSupremeElectoralTribunal-TSE-approvedAgreementNo.113-2015whichamongotherthings,punishestheuseofsexiststereotypes,itdoesnottakeintoaccountstereotypesbasedonethnicityorcultureandtodate,therearenopoliticalpartiessanctionedbythisoffense,despitethefactthatseveralhaveusedsexistimagesandwomenindifferentactivities,toattractpublicattention.TheTSEsanctionedseveralpoliticalpartiesincludingtheUnityofHope(UNE),RenewedDemocraticFreedom(LIDER)andPartidoPatriota(PP),butonlyfor“the execution of various actions constituting electoral political propaganda,beforeissuingthedecreecallingforelections.”16,17.

Regardingreforms to theelectoral lawandpoliticalparties, thediscussionhasbeensterile.Women’sandindigenouswomen’sorganizationshaveraisedthepossibilityofreformingdifferentarticlesofthelaw,toensure,notonlyparitybutalsorotationbetweenMayanandGarifunawomen,men,Xinkaandmestizos,aswellasregistrationofcandidateswithindigenousrepresentation,indistrictswithamajorityofindigenouspopulation.NeitherparitynorrotationswereincludedinthereformsapprovedbyCongressinApril2016.

Concerned, we have seen that indigenous institutions within the State,established under the Peace Accords, 19 years later have not been able to

16 Document of the Supreme Electoral Tribunal, according to agreement 11-2015, April 21, 2015. (Annex)17 Analytical Report of the Electoral Process 2015, Association of Research and Social Studies -ASIES-2016, Author: Gabriel Duarte, Guatemala, 2016.

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be strengthened, autonomous and sufficiently funded. Most of these werecreated through governmental agreements or internal resolutions issued bythe institutions towhich theybelong,whichmakes themvulnerablewithriskofdisappearingor tobepoliticizedbycurrentgovernmentsandexercise theirfunctionsinconditionsofsubordination.

During the 2012-2016 administration, the official agreement to create theIndigenousWomanOmbudsman-DEMI-(foritsSpanishacronym)wasmodifiedto favor party sympathizers; this violated the spirit andnature of its creation.Previously,thePresidentoftheRepublicelectedtheOmbudsmanfromashortlistsubmittedbytheCoordinatingBoard,composedofeightrepresentativesofindigenous women’s organizations, and the Consultative Council, composedof representatives of each linguistic community, one each.TheGovernmentalAccordNo.38-2013eliminatedtheparticipationoftheCoordinatingBoardinthisappointment.

Ontheotherhand, theavailabilityofresources influences thecapacity fordecisionandactionoftheDEMI,whichmeansthatmoreresourcesareneededtomeetthedemandsofindigenouswomen,aswellastodecentralizeittogiveitthenecessaryautonomy.In2009DEMIhadabudgetincreaseofalmost100%,whichremainsthesametodate.18Duetoaninsufficientbudget,DEMIrequestsinternationalcooperationfundstomeetitsannualprogramming,whichimpactsthecontinuityofitsofficers.ThisworkinginstabilityaffectstheimplementationandmonitoringofDEMI’scasesandgeneratesinternalconflictsanddivisivenessamongofficers,dependingontheoriginsofthefundsusedtopaytheirsalaries.

Other entities, such as the Presidential Commission against Racism -CODISRA- and the Guatemalan Indigenous Fund - FODIGUA - have beenpoliticizedinrecentyearsandsubmittedtogovernmentinterests.FODIGUA,hasassumedpatronizingandpopulistprogramsthatdonotgeneratesustainability,neitherdotheychangethemachoculturenordiscriminationagainstindigenous

18 Roselia Pop, head of DEMI, stated that according to the 2012 report of the National Council of Peace Agree-ments, progress on this issue is significant but minimal, because it lacks the necessary allocations to develop stra-tegies that would help stop accentuating flagella such as malnutrition, illiteracy and violence, among others. http://www.congreso.gob.gt/noticias.php?id=7722

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women. CODISRA, has limited itself tomaking public denunciation of casesrelated to discrimination, to provide accompaniment to tables of dialogue,training of public officials and to carry out legal, social and psychologicalcounseling,leavingbehinditsmainroleinformulatingpublicpoliciestocombatracismanddiscrimination.

EDUCATION:Articles 10, 11, 12 and 14.

The Political Constitution of the Republic provides for education ... “It istheobligationoftheStatetoprovideandfacilitateeducationforitsinhabitantswithout discrimination.” (Art.71) ... “Education provided by the State is free”(Art. 74) “Administration of the educational system should be decentralizedand regionalized. In schools established in areas of predominant indigenouspopulation,teachingshouldpreferablybeimplementedbilingually.”(Art.76).

TheStateofGuatemalacontinueshavingalargedebttoindigenouswomenin terms of access to and coverage of education. The average schooling of anindigenouswomanlivingintheruralareaisoneyear.Outof10indigenousgirls,onlythreereachthirdgradeofprimaryschoolandtwo,sixthgrade.Only31outofevery100indigenouswomenareliterate.19

In2011,theNationalLiteracyCommission-CONALFA-registeredanoverallilliteracyrateof17.46%(16.43%inmenand18.39%inwomen).Poorandindigenouswomen,residingmainlyinruralareas,arethemostaffected.ThehighestratesofilliteracyareinthedepartmentsofQuichéwith33.09%(29.37%menand36.32%women),30.62%inAltaVerapaz(26.66%menand34.40%women),BajaVerapaz26.88% (25.81%menand 27.78%women),Chiquimula 28.45% (31.64%menand25.76%women)andHuehuetenango25.69%,(23.6%menand27.34%women).Notbeingabletoreadandwritedeprivesindigenouswomenofformaljobs,accesstosocialsecurity,health,recreation,housing,foodandfairwages.20

19 According to data from the UN System, 2010, included in the report “Where is the Guatemalan Public Education Headed To”, Bulletin No.1, Acces and Coverage, Guatemala 2014, by Prodessa, CNEM, ICEFI, IPNUSAC, IBIS and THE LINGUISTIC AND INTERCULTURAL INSTITUTE. 20 http://www.guatevision.com/departamental/quiche-analfabetismo-guatemala {Note on illeteracy in the depart-ment of Quiche}

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Educationalpolicies implementedsince2010havebeendetrimental to thepermanence of children in primary school. In 2009, the program of gratuityand conditional transferswas implemented.The latterdeliveredaneconomicremittance for the attendance of the family’s children to school including therespectivehealthcontrol.Unfortunately,astheyearswentby,thetransferswerereducedandwithit,thedecreaseofthenumberofchildrenattendingschool.

Within this same framework, economic transfers to the parents’ schoolboards or to theDepartmental EducationDirectorates to purchase food havebeenirregular.During2014therewasabudgetassignmentofQ1.58perchildintheruralarea.By2015,anincreaseof0.50cents(reachingQ2.08)wasappliedifthemunicipalitywasprioritizedbytheSecretariatofFoodandNutritionSecurity(SESAN),aspartoftheimplementationoftheZeroHungerPactPlan.However,fulfilling thisassignmentwasvery irregular,astudymonitoringschoolsnacksconcluded:21 budget allocations for school meals have not been given timelyand disbursements are irregular, which does not ensure that boys and girlsreceive snacksona regularbasis.There is insufficient fooddue to incompletedisbursements and the generation of backlogged debt with food suppliers,transportation costs, gas and firewood, among others. Inadequate conditionsfor food preparation, ranging from deficiencies in infrastructure, equipment,utensils,drinkingwaterandsafety,putthelivesofthosewhopreparefoodandthosewhoconsume themat risk.Theprevious situation shows that althoughtheZeroHungerPactPlanclaimstobeaninitiativethathascontemplatedtheeradicationofhungerintheprioritizedmunicipalities,itdoesnotactuallyshowconcreteresultsasthepoverty,hungerandmalnutritionratescontinuetoshownoprogress.

A phenomenon that has been occurring at schools that worries mothersandfathersisschooldesertion,causedbytheharassmentbetweenthestudentsthemselvesandalsoamongsometeacherstowardsthestudents.Theharassmentofindigenousgirlshastodowiththeuseoftraditionalclothing,speakingtheirmothertongueandbeingwomen.Therearefewprogramstopreventthistypeofcrimebutvictimsprefernottofileacomplaintforfearofreprisalsfromteachersorfromtheperpetrators.

21 http://www.alianmisar.org/userfiles/Informe%20Monitoreo%20de%20RE%202016(2).pdf

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Thefollowingchartexemplifiesthewayinwhichprimarylevelcoveragehasdeclined.Wefocusonthisaspectbecausetheindigenousgirlonlyreachesthefirstyearofprimaryschoolandthisdataisdiscouraging.

Table 2

COVERAGE INDICATORSNetEnrollmentofSchoolingforPrimaryLevel

Year % 2009 98.70% 2010 95.10% 2011 92.80% 2012 89.10% 2013 85.45% 2014 82%

Source: Prepared with data from the Ministry ofEducationbyauthors-http://estadistica.mineduc.gob.gt/reporte

We can interpret that although the conditional transfers promoted in2009couldbethereasonfortheincreaseinenrolledchildren,astheprogramdisappeared, theMinistryofEducationdidnothavetheconditionstoprovideattention and retain the totality of the country’s children in school, and alsodemonstrate that families remain in extreme poverty. Conditional transferscouldhavepromotedtheenrollmentandpermanenceofchildrenandsomehow,this programmade a verifiable link between children’s health conditions andtheirnutritionalsituation.Butat thesametime, itgeneratedotherconflictsatthefamilylevelduetothelackofmechanismstomonitortheproperuseoftheeconomic resourcesprovidedand if theywereeffectivelyused for the family’swelfare.

On the other hand, communities continue to demand education in theirmothertongueandalsothataspectsoftheculturefromeachplaceareretaken.Indigenous women consider that sometimes the children do not have themotivation to attend a school because it subjects them to a culture that does

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not belong to them; they consider that for this reason, their values are lost,encouragingvagrancyamongyoungpeopleanddroppingoutofschool

An act of discrimination was providing students with over-rated andsubstandardmaterials.Casessuchasthesearebeinginvestigated.Herearesomeexamples:

Lowqualitybackpacksdistributedtostudents.Source: http://www.prensalibre.com/estudiantes-reciben-mochilas-de-mala-

calidad

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“... Currently more than 200 Mayan Q’eqchi students are taught in a rustic gallery, which has been rebuilt twice by the same community, and worst of all, it lacks desks and blackboards, according to one the five teachers who attend school ... 22 “

Ontheotherhand,in2014thecareerofteachinginprimaryeducationwassuppressedandwithit,thepreparationofthousandsofindigenousstudentstobecometeachersinInterculturalBilingualEducation.ThatcareerwasreplacedbytheBachelorwithOrientationinTeaching,aprofessionthataddstwomoreyearstotheteachingcareer(currentlyrequiringfiveyears)andwhichrestrictsteaching until three years of studies at university have been completed. Thisdecision transgresses the educational reformprocesses arising from thePeaceAccords,whichestablishedtheneedtoexpandandpromotebilingualeducation.Whenestablishingarelationshipbetweenindigenouspersonswhocompleteamidleveleducationwiththosethatenteruniversity, therearefew,historically,

22 Children from Ixcan without school for a three year period, Communal Press, January 2017. http://www.pren-sacomunitaria.org/ninos-sin-escuela-en-ixcan-desde-hace-tres-anos/

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thathave thatopportunity.By 2012 indigenous students at the stateuniversitywereonly6%.23Manyfamilieslackthefinancialresourcestosupporttheselongyearsoftheirchildren’seducationandthisfactorwasnottakenintoconsideration.Anindigenouswomancannotbeaprimaryschoolteacherifsheispoor;thisisadiscriminatoryandclass-biasedpolicy.

HEALTHArticles 4, 5, 10 and 16.

Guatemala is characterized by inequality in the distribution of services,including health. This inequality can be analyzed from two perspectives: thebarriersandfactorstoaccessit.

If we talk about the barriers we could say that the situation at hospitalsandhealthcentersarecharacterizedby the lackofmedications,overcrowdingand understaffing, resulting from differences in the distribution of resources,economicaswellasmaterialandhuman,making it impossible toaddress thehealthneedsofindigenouswomenefficientlyandtimely.Factorsthatnegativelyinfluenceaccesstohealthofindigenouswomenarelanguage,stereotypesagainstindigenouswomen, thedistancebetweencommunitiesandthenearesthealthcenter, lack ofmaterials and of experienced personnel, as well as absence ofculturalrelevanceintheservice.

Healthequality implies thatallpeople shouldhaveequalopportunities todeveloptheirfullhealthpotential.Theprincipleofequityrecognizesthatpeopleare different and that responsesmust be according to their specific needs. Itrecognizes diversity in different population groups by sex, age, peoples andplaceofresidence,sexualorientationandgenderidentityandlevelofeducation,amongothers.24

23 During 2012, only 6% of studentes from the State University, San Carlos de Guatemala were indigenous, a total of 9,832 persons, according to the Academic Support Program for Indigenous Students. 24 Gender and Health Profile, Guatemala 2013, by the Panamerican Health Organization, World Health Organiza-tion, UNFPA, SEPREM and the Ministry of Health and Social Assistance of Guatemala. http://www.paho.org/gut/index.php?option=com_docman&view=download&category_slug=2-salud-de-las-fami-lias-y-del-individuo-por-etapa&alias=598-perfildegeneroysalud&Itemid=518

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Indigenouswomen continue tohavemore children, concentrating fertilitybetweentherangesof42.7%to44%,withaslightincreaseinthelastfiveyears.Mostofthemaresinglemothers,withaminimumprimaryeducationornoneatall.Inthatsense,wecanalsosaywithcertaintythatsincethereisapredominantlyyoungpopulation,theseareyoungmotherslivingwiththeirchildreninextremepovertywithatendencytoperpetuatethecyclesofpovertyandilliteracy.

Health inGuatemalan is closely related to the socioeconomic status of itspeople.AccordingtodatarecordedbytheNationalHealthSystem,womendiefrom preventable causes. The first and second causes are due to respiratoryandgastrointestinaldiseasesand the third, toconditionsrelated topregnancy,childbirthandpostpartum.ThefourthisHIV.Itisimportanttonotethatatages15to24,thethirdleadingcauseofdeathforwomenispregnancy,childbirthandpostpartum,butitisthefirstcauseamongthoseagedbetween25to39.

Maternaldeathaffectsindigenouswomenmainly(71%ofcases),residinginruralareas(66%),withlittleeducation(48%illiterate),withmultiplepregnancies(56%)andwhousuallydieathome(46%).44%ofmaternaldeathshadasariskfactor, what is known as the fourth delay, which is the lack of adequate andcomprehensive treatment. The risk that an indigenous woman will die frompregnancy-related causes is three times more, in relation to non-indigenouswomen.

Malnutrition among women is another factor leading to maternal death.During thecourseof life,womenhave littleaccess to foodcontainingenoughnutrients to strengthen their immune system. Foods are regularly assigned tomen in greater quantities, given the importance of their productive role andconsequently, in thehouseholdeconomyaswell.Their reproductive/domesticworkisnotvisualizedasworthyofbeingcompensatedwithfood.

As for family planning, it is claimed that almost all (98.2%) indigenouswomenaged15-49knowofmoderncontraceptivemethods,butonlyhalf(52.3%)useone,eithermodern(38.9%)ortraditional(13.4%).Itsuseisincreasingbasedonmeasurementsmadein1987(5.5%),1998(12.6%),and2008(40.2%).Amongthefactorsfornotusingfamilyplanningmethodsaredeficientornon-existentsexeducationprogramsinruralareas,particularlyamonginstitutionsofthepubliceducationsystem,andalsoduetotheinfluenceofChristianreligions.

22

We viewwith great concern the alarming rise of pregnancy cases amonggirlsandyoungwomeninthecountry’sdepartmentswiththelargestindigenouspopulation. According tomonitoring by the Sexual and Reproductive HealthCitizens Observatory (OSAR for its Spanish acronym), pregnancies amongadolescents25aged10to17yearsoldin2014reachedatotalof39,501nationwide,withastrongimpactinthedepartmentofAltaVerapaz(wheretheQ’eqchiethnicgroupresides)registeringarecordof2,891casesandotherdepartmentswithanindigenousmajorityaswell.Pleaseseetablebelow.

Table3*26

PregnancyamonggirlsandadolescentsindepartmentswithamajorityofIndigenouspopulation,withpresenceofthefollowingethnicgroups:Q’eqchi,

K’aqchikel,Mam,XincaandAchí,amongothers

Source:AdolescentMothersDiagnosisStudy,withdatafromtheManagerInformationSystem,SIGSA

(foritsSpanishacronym)MOH,December2014.

25 The Comprehensive Protection of Children and Adolescent bill, Decree 27-2003, art. 2, defines a child as all those persons starting from their conception until they are 13 years old. It defines adolescents as all persons ranging from 13 to 18 years old. 26 The table presents ages ranging from 10 to 17 years old. The Civil Code was modified by Congress to raise the minimum age for marriage to 18. Previouls it was 14 years old for women and 16 for men. Adulthood in Guatemala is defined at 18 years old.

TN - The left column refers to the Departments of Guatemala. The top horizontal line refers to ages. The extreme right column includes totals.

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It is worrying that more than half of 10-year-old girl pregnancies during2014 concentrated among indigenous people, mainly in the departments ofHuehuetenango, San Marcos, Quiché and Alta Verapaz.27 These pregnanciesshowviolencetowardsthispopulationgroupandtheineffectivenessofentitiesresponsibleforpreventingandprotectingminors.Someofthemdieduetotheirnutritionalconditionandlackofqualityhealthcareduringpreandpostpartumperiods.TheVINationalSurveyofMaternalandChildHealth(ENSMI)2014-15indicatesthat16.8%ofindigenouswomenaged15to19,hashadachildand21.2%ofthemhavebeguntobearchildren.

The Ministries of Public Health and Social Assistance (MOH) and ofEducation28haveanagreementtoimplementactionstostrengthenintersectoralstrategies for comprehensive sex education and the promotion of sexual andreproductivehealth,includingHIV/AIDS,STIs,teenagepregnanciesandsexualviolence(MinisterialDeclaration“PreventingthroughEducation”adoptedattheXVIIInternationalConferenceonAIDS,Mexico,2008).Howevertheseareissuesthatlackanadequateapproach. Ithasbeendonebasedonmodernmedicinewithouttakingintoaccountaspectssuchasculturalpatterns,conservatismofthepopulation,traditionalpracticesandusingtermsintheirownlanguages.

48.6%ofbirthsareattendedathomesandtheroleofmidwivesisimportanthere,becausetheyareresponsibleforcaringnotonlyforthemotherbutalsoforthe family,monitoringnutritionalneeds,providingadviceon familyplanningandemotionalsupport.Thereasonswhyindigenouswomenrequestamidwiferelatetohavingsomeonewhounderstandstheir language, thatkeeps inmindaspectsofthepeoples’worldview,isanelderpersonthatdeservesrespect,andwhoseadviceisworthlisteningtobecauseshehasacquiredexperiencethroughthepathofherlifeandiswise,doesnotdiscriminateandisrespectful.

That’s the reason why indigenous women are questioning the fact that

currently, with support from the international community, there are trainingprogramsformidwives,whilethetraditionalonesarerelegatedtothebackground

27 During the first semester 2016 data surpassed half of the total reported from the same departments and also at a national level. 28 http://www.mspas.gob.gt/decap/files/descargas/bibliotecaVirtual/Programa%20Nacional%20de%20Salud%20Reproductiva/COMPONENTE%20SALUD%20Y%20EDUCACION/Prevenir%20con%20educaci%C3%B3n.pdf

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althoughtheywerebornwiththe“gift”ofservice,a“gift”convertedintoamissionandsustainedwithyearsofexperienceandwisdom.OntheotherhandthereisapolicyofMidwiveswithatutelaryvisionthatdiscreditsancestralvaluesrelatedtothe“giftandmission.”Thisdoesnotdignifyinanywaythetraditionalmidwife;onthecontrary,itmakesheravictimofasystemthatdiscriminatesherduetoherlackofformaleducation,herpractice,languageanddress.

Yolanda Hernández, from Pop Jay Association and the Network ofOrganizationsof IndigenousWomenforReproductiveHealth (REDOMISAR),stated: “We recognize that there aredoctors andveryprofessionalnurses, butunfortunatelythereisstaffwhotakesadvantageofthehumblestateofmidwives,because they see the traditional dress and bare feet, without giving them anopportunitytodeliverherpatient.”Thisishowtheaccompanimentprovidedbythemidwifeisinterruptedwhenenteringahealthcenter.

AnaSaput,presidentoftheChimaltenangomidwives,saidthatthemidwivesinitiallyfaceproblemswiththeprivatesecurityofficerswhoguardtheentrancetotheemergency.“Theyaskustoleavethepatient,becauseinsideit’stheworkofdoctorsandnurses,anddonotletusgiveourdiagnosisandthereasonswhywetookourpatients,”shesaid.

It is important to note that the Midwives Policy of the Four Peoples ofGuatemala2015-2025 fromtheMOHhasnotbeen thebest tool tocombat thestereotypicalthinking,discriminationandracismexertedtowardsmidwivesbydoctorsandnursesindifferentareasofthepublichealthsystem.

Congress proposed bill No 4966-2016 related to the dignity of midwives,which among other things contemplated the registration and payment of afinancial incentive ofQ. 3,000per year (Q 250 permonth, aboutUS$ 1.15 perdayapproximately)andalso,declaringadayforthenationalsignificationoftheNationalIyomand/orRati’tAk’al,themidwifeofGuatemala.Theimportanceofthislawisbornfromthereferencetotheroleplayedbymidwivesinthehealthsystemanduntiltoday,devaluedbytheofficialhealthsystem.TheproposalwasananswertotheneedsexpressedbythedifferenttablesofdialoguepromotedbytheMOH.29

29 Analysis of National Reality Magazine, , Year 6, No. 123, August 2017, p. 81-84, article by Hugo Icu Peren.

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Acting President Jimmy Morales vetoed the bill (4966-2016) via thegovernmentaldecree(44-2017)justifyingitwithlackoffunds,usingdiscriminatoryargumentstowardsmidwivesandatotalignoranceoftheprocessesthattheMOHhaspromoted,inadditiontohavingmaliciouslyusedcertainarticlesoftheILOConvention169.

VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN AND ACCESS TO JUSTICE:Articles 2, and 2 c.

Themain problem facing the State is its inability to providewomenwithlegal, judicial and institutional protection against violence.30 From January toDecember 2013, the National Prosecutor registered 25 thousand 410 cases ofviolenceagainstwomen, includingpsychologicalviolence (722 cases),physicalviolence (159 cases) and economic violence (238 cases). Between January andSeptember2014,thesameentityreported21thousand752cases.2014datapointtoanincreaseofpsychologicalviolencecases,becauseSeptemberandhad1,643cases,whileduringthepreviousyear722caseswereregisteredbythis formofviolenceagainstwomen.31

Abuseagainstwomen,accordingtotheMutualSupportGroup(GAM)is23victimsper100thousandinhabitants.Asforthehomiciderateforwomen,itislower in thedepartmentswith the largest indigenouspopulationcompared tothemestizopopulation,asshownbythefollowingtable.

30 Report of the Special Rapporteur on Violence Against Women, its Causes and Consequences, Yakum Ertürk, Guatemala Mission, Human Rights Commission, 61st. Period of Sessions, Feb. 10 2005, par. 27, related to violent manifestations against women, p. 12.31 Anual Detailed Report, Human Rights Situation, 2014, Human Rights Ombudsman, Guatemala 2014, http://www.dip.mindef.mil.gt/inf_2014.pdf

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32 Análisis de las muertes violentas de mujeres –MVM- en Guatemala, Enero a octubre 2014, realizado por el Gru-po Guatemalteco de Mujeres –GGM-, Guatemala, 2014 {Analysis of violent deaths of Women (VDW) in Guatema-la, Jan-Oct. 2014 by the Guatemalan Women’s Group, -GWG, Guatemala 2014. http://ggm.org.gt/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/An%C3%A1lisis-Muertes-Violentas-de-Mujeres-a%C3%B1o-2014.pdf

Table332

RateofViolentDeathsofWomen,VDW,per100thousandsinhabitantsperdepartment

during2014comparedto2012-2013rates.

Source:TablebyGWGbasedonINACIFNationalDeathReport*andprintedmediamonitoringincludingPrensaLibre,LaHora,NuestroDiarioinitsDepartmentaledition(digitalversion),SigloXXI,elPeriodicoandElQuetzaltecoandINE’s1950-2050populationestimates.*Obs.Interannualdifferencesfor2012-2013estimatedin

relationtothenetrateof2014.

TN – Left column includes names of departments, followed by deaths reported, and by percentages.

The fourth column provides total female population data per department, followed by death rates per year.

Table by authors, based on the analysis of violent deaths of women in Guatemala -VDW- January to October 2014, by the Guatemalan Women’s Group -GGM- Guatemala, 2014

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Data indicates that thedepartmentswith lower rates ofViolentDeathsofWomen-VDW-during2014areQuichéandSololá,with0.92and0.83per 100thousandwomen,respectively.Territorieswithratesbelowthreedeathsper100thousandwomenare:Huehuetenango(1.71),SanMarcos(2.32),AltaVerapaz(2.78)andTotonicapán(2.94).

...Theviciousnessandadvantagespracticedonthewomen´sbodies,isnotonlyevidencedbytheirdismemberment,sexualviolence,writtennotesleftbytheirbodies,butalsowhenusingmorethanonetypeofweapontoexertviolenceonwomen before their death,while torturing, and humiliating them. 46% offemalevictimswerebetweentheagesof16and30.33

One case that may exemplify today the rawness of sexual violence and racism, is the one known as “Sepur Zarco” in which soldiers were processed in an oral and public debate related to the violence, sexual and domestic slavery claim, committed against 15 Mayan Q’eqchi women while detained in a military base located in El Estor, Izabal. During the hearings, these women were once more stigmatized and victimized, receiving misogynous comments and accused of being liars by the defense.

The“CommissionalsomadeanoteofthelandmarkdecisionissuedbytheAppealsCourt of Processes ofGreaterRisk, ratifying the landmark judgmentof theSepurZarcocase,relatedtodomesticandsexualviolenceagainstMayaQ’eqchiwomen.Notwithstanding,suchadvancesare limited,comparedtothenumberofviolationscommittedduringtheconflictandtheobligationsthattheStateofGuatemalahasinrelationtotherightstotruth,justiceandreparationforthevictims.TheCommissionverifiedthatmultiplefactorscontributingtoasituationofstructuralimpunitybothincasesinvolvinghumanrightsviolationsofthepastandthepresentprevailtoday.”34

Although the Law against Femicide andOther Forms of Violence againstWomen is standing, it has not been a mechanism that restrains the violentdeathofwomen.Raisingawarenessamong judges,magistratesandofficials in

33 GAM report, p.1734 Preliminary Observations of the in loco of the ICHR to Guatemala, August 4th. 2017, http://www.oas.org/es/cidh/prensa/comunicados/2017/114A.asp

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its implementation, understanding and application is pending. Additionally,it isalsoessentialthattheStateofGuatemalademonstratetheeffectivenessofspecializedcourtsinthismatterandhowtheapplicationofthelawinfavorofindigenouswomenistranslated.

Inthecourtscoveringdepartmentswithamajorityofindigenouspopulation,Castilian continues tobe the languageused toprovide services insteadof thelanguageof the region,which constitutes abarrier for the victim.A studyontheattentionprovidedbythecourtstoindigenouswomenfoundthatonlytwodepartmentsoutoffiveincludedinthestudy,SololáandChimaltenango,hadstafprovidingattentioninaMayanlanguage.Whiletheotherthreedepartmentswiththelargestindigenouspopulation-Quiché,HuehuetenangoandQuetzaltenango-did not reflect the use of a Mayan language. The study concludes that thissituationmakesthepossibilityofsolvingtheproblemsofMayanwomeninthejusticesystemaremoteoneandimpliesthattheGuatemalanStatemustmakeagreatereffort.35Ontheotherhand,thecourtsdonotaccepttranslationsupportthat is not accredited by the justice system, resulting in increasing the risk ofwomenremainingunprotected.

Ithasbeenestablished that indigenouswomendonotpresent complaintsbecauseofreligiousandeconomicreasons,duetoignoranceandilliteracy,andwhen they do go to the justice system they lack the benefit of primary care.On the other hand, during those scarce occasions, indigenous women lack afullunderstandingof theircasebecause they ignore legalaspects, suchas thedefinitionofcrimesandthecycleofacomplaint.Thisdiscouragesresortingtocourt.Additionally,mostwomenignoretheirrightsandthefewwhodoknowthem,donotexercisethem,becausetheydistrustthoseinstitutions.Indigenouswomen still fear being stigmatized for showing up tomake complaints, theyreportthattheyarejudgedbyprosecutorsandauthoritiesblamingthemiftheydecide to continue livingwith theirpartners, in casesofdomestic violenceorabuse.

35 According to the study on the attention provided to Mayan women that have survived violence by specialized courts (Peace, Family, Femicide) and holistic support centers done with emphasis in departments of Quiché, Hue-huetenango, Quetzaltenango, Sololá and Chimaltenango, by the Tz’ununija’ Indigenous Womens Movement and Project Miriam, 2013.

29

OntheotherhandMaya,GarifunaandXinkawomenexplainthatintheircommunities there is collusion between judges, prosecutors and victimizers,takingadvantageof thevulnerabilityof thevictim. “Wehavebeenveryafraidof whatmight happen once our aggressor is in free.” This fear is due to theconsequencesnotonlyforthevictimbutalsoagainstwomenwhoprovidedherwithlegalcounselduringtheprocess.

The role of the defenders is crucial, to accompany a victim of violenceagainstwomen,yettheyalsoarecriminalized,threatenedandoftenchallengedin their work because they lack a credential that endorses or supports theirwork.Questioningisnotonlyposedbytheperpetratorswhoinsomecasesfilecomplaintsagainstthem,butalsobyofficersfromthejusticesystem.

Legal training efforts have been insufficient to eliminate discriminatoryandstereotypedattitudestowards indigenouswomen.Complaintsabouttheseattitudespersist,aspresentedinthereportof theInternationalHumanRightsCommission,IHRC,duringarecentvisittoGuatemala:

“TheCommissionhasreceived informationrelated to the lackofaccess tojustice bymembers of indigenous peoples in Guatemala and the persistenceof linguistic, geographical and cultural barriers.” TheUnitedNations SpecialRapporteur on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples indicates that about 10% ofindigenouspeopleshaveadequateandeffectiveaccesstojustice.Duringthesitevisit,theIHRCwasinformedthatsomeauthoritiesmakeindigenouspeoplewaitmore thanothernon-indigenouspeople, “whenaLadinoarrivesandwehavearrivedearlier,theymakeuswait.”InAltaVerapaz,aladytoldtheCommission“The Public Ministry has translators, but do not know Q’eqchi, they do nottranslateeverythingwesay.”36

Derivedfromlimitedaccesstojustice,organizationsofindigenouswomen,togetherwiththeJudicialOrganism,havepromotedtheimplementationofaninstrument called “Protocol of Attention for Indigenous Women” containingminimumaspectstobeobservedbyofficials,andbyjudicialandadministrativeemployeesworkingat theJudicialOrganismandintheSupremeCourt,when

36 Preliminary Observations from the in Loco visit to Guatemala of the IHRC, August 4 2017, http://www.oas.org/es/cidh/prensa/comunicados/2017/114A.asp

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attendinganindigenouswoman,recognizingthatthesystemneedstochangeinthisway.Indigenouswomenbelievethatthisinitiativemustbeincludedbyotherinstitutionsresponsibleforensuringaccesstojusticeandlaw,suchastheofficeoftheAttorneyGeneral,theNationalCivilPolice(PNC),andtheHumanRightsOmbudsman,amongothers.

On the other hand, although there is a comprehensive care protocol forvictims in the Attention to the VictimOffices and there’s also a coordinationmandatebetweeninstitutionssuchasthejudiciary,theNationalCivilPoliceandthePublicProsecutor, victims continue tobe addressedwithout coordination.“Eachentity says somethingdifferentwhenwepresentour cases,weare sentfromoneinstitutiontoanother,werepeatourcomplaintagainandagain.Therearetimeswhenitfeelsthatones’privacy,aswellasourdignityareviolatedandadditionally,doubted.Thoseentitiesarenotcoordinated.”

Ontheotherhand,althoughthereareCareCentersforWomenVictimsofViolence(CAIMUSforitsSpanishacronym),theseinstancesarenotcoveringtheentirecountryanddonomeetthedemandofwomen,particularlyindigenouswomen.Resourcestorunthemwerenotdeliveredcomplete,inatimelyfashioninrecentyears.In2012theyreceived50.9%;in2013,47%andin2014,anamountrepresenting 53% funds thatwerenot spentduring 2013.Thismeans that oneyears’ budget was divided in two, to cover two years. These actions hindercomprehensive care for indigenous women since these CAIMUS centers arecentralizedinthecities.

The State of Guatemala has reported the development of a NationalInformation System on Violence Against Women (SNIVCM for its Spanishacronym),however theDefenseof IndigenousWomen,DEMI, isnot includedas part of the instances thatmake up it up37 even though it is an entity that

37 The SNIVCM is made up by 13 institutions including: The Judicial Organism, General Attorney, Ministry of Interior, the National Prosecutor, the Human Rights Ombudsman, National Civil Police, the Public Defense Insti-tute, the Universities’ Law Students Professional Practice Offices (USAC and URL), The General Directorate of the Penitentiary System, the National Forensic Sciences Institute and the Ministries of Education and of Health and Social Welfare.

31

accompaniesindigenouswomenvictimsofviolence.Thelackofdisaggregateddatabyethnicityorbyindigenouspeoplescreatesavoidintheinterpretationofinformationrelatedtoviolenceagainstwomen,becausethen,itmustbeinferredby the number of indigenous population residing in each department of thecountry.

CRIMINALIZATIONArticles 1-e and 14

Theimpositionofadependenteconomicmodelaimedattheexpulsionoftheindigenousandpeasantpopulationfromruralareasinordertoimplementagricultural and mining projects, mostly focused on exports, has devastatingeffectsontheirrights,especiallytherighttoappropriatefood,tofree,priorandinformedconsultationandaccesstolandandothernaturalresources.HumanRights defenders are persecuted, especially those related to economic, social,culturalandenvironmentalrightsthatopposetheaforementionedprojects.38

ForDefendersofLandRights, thesituationiscriticalandcompoundedbystructural issues that generate conflict in the country: the lack of an agrarianreform under the Peace Accords, the re-militarization and poormanagementof social unrest with criminalizing measures, such as the “Bump Law” (TN:Roadbarriers),structuraldiscriminationagainstindigenouspeoples,inequalityandpovertyand thesystematicviolationof theright toconsultation,which isconsideredby theConstitutionalCourtasbinding. Inparticular,communitiesthathavemobilizedindefenseofhumanrights,suchasSantaCruzBarillas,LaPuyaorSanRafaelde lasFloresandMataquescuintla,havebeensubject toarepressivepolicy,usingstatemechanismssuchastheunjustifiedStateofsiege(TN:restrictingcertainindividualliberties)andviolentevictions.39

38 Report of the Third International Mission on the Right to Adecuate Food and the situation of the Human Rights Defenders in Guatemala, 2015. http://www.clfcaeu.org./wpcontent/uploads/2015/10/informedaa_completo.pdf39 European Parliamente Mision Report–DROI- to Guatemala, Feb. 2016. http://www.omct.org/fi-les/2016/03/23638/2016.01.29_briefing_guatemala_espaol.pdf

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Itshouldbenotedthat thosewhodefendtherightsof indigenouspeoplesaswellasenvironmentalrights,areespeciallypersecuted.Inrelationtogender,womendefendersaccountedfor53%ofthevictimsofaggressioninthefirsthalfof2015.40

InMay 2012 indigenous community protests against the construction of ahydroelectric plant in Santa Cruz Barillas, Huehuetenango, culminated in astate of emergency declared in the region; women experienced persecution,criminalization, arrests and raids disguised as legal actions, destruction ofproperty;populationharassmentandsexualabuse.41

In defense of indigenous territories in Quiché and in the fight againstindustryandminingexploration,LolitaChávez,aK’icheindigenousleader,hasbeenthreatenedandisfacingarrestwarrantsthathavenotbeenimplementedbyGuatemalanauthorities.However,itisasituationthatkeepsheronconstantalertanddeprivedofherfundamentalfreedoms.

AnothercaseisthatofwomenfromthecommunityofSanMiguelIxtahuacan,facingmorethan14arrestingwarrantsissuedbytheirresistancetotheMarlinMine in 2008. Their leader, Crisanta Pérez, avoided detention by hiding forseveralmonths.During2010anattempttocaptureherwasnotpossibleduetothecommunity’sintervention.Today,Ms.Pérezlivesinfearduetothatpersecutioncausingheruneasiness.42

SanJuanSacatepéquezisoneofGuatemala’s17municipalities,witharesidentmajorityofMayaK’aqchikeldescent.12communitiesfromthismunicipality,since2006,havedemonstratedagainsttheCementosProgreso(CEMPRO),company(TN-Acementfactory).Thebusinessplannedandbuiltacementplant,whichannulledthepeace,securityandtranquilityofthelocalcommunities,givingrisetoaseriesofconflictsinthearea.Undertheseconditions,acommunalconsultation

40 IDEM41 https://tierrayterritorio.wordpress.com/2012/07/06/pronunciamiento-frente-al-riesgo-de-las-defensoras-en-la-lu-cha-por-la-defensa-del-territorio/ {Land and Territory, Wordpress, Statement related to the risks faced by women defending their territory.}42 Map of the criminialization by the opposition to mining activities, Report – Arrest warrentas against eight women and one man in the Agel community, San Miguel Ixtahuacán, San Marcos http://criminalizacion.conflictos-mineros.net/reports/view/19

33

processwascarriedoutin2007,howevertheresultswerenotrespected,andthisaggravatedtheconflict.

Since then, the state has implemented repressive mechanisms againstcommunities, since 2008 to 2014, a State of Prevention has been declared onseveral occasions 43 affecting children, youth,women and senior citizenswhohavesufferedmultipleactsofviolence,rangingfrompsychologicalviolence,tophysicalviolence,intimidation,harassmentandevenrapeagainstwomen.

OneofthecasesthataroseinthecourseofthisconflictisthatofMs.BarbaraDiazSurín,aMayanK’aqchikelleader,twiceelectedpresidentoftheCommunityDevelopmentCouncilCOCODE(foritsSpanishacronym).Asamemberofthecommunity opposing the construction of the plant, she was imprisoned andlinkedtoa legalprocessformurder in2014,a fewdaysafterparticipating inaprotestagainstthemanyhumanrightsviolationsthatwerepreviouslydescribedinseveralcommunities.Policecapturedherusingexcessive forceandviolateddue process at the time of her arrest, because they did not present the arrestwarrantnorwasshenotifiedthereasonforherarrest.Shewastransferredtoacourtoutofthelegaljurisdictionandlater,whentransportedbyelementsofthepolice,herarmshadbruises.

AnumberofabnormalitiessurroundthecaseofMs.Surínsinceitdidnotfollowdueprocess,andtherewaspressurefromrepresentativesofthecementfactory.Ms.Surín,withoutpreviousnotice,droppedsupportfromherdefenselawyersandhiredaprivateattorney.Itisknowntherewasanagreementbetweentheparties,shewasreleasedwithoutchargeandfromthatpoint,leftheractivismagainstthecementplant.Thisisacasethatexemplifiestherepressionandterrormechanismsimplementedbytheprivatesectorinthecountryandlegitimizedbyauthorities.

Another case is that of RosaElviraCoc, a victim ofmassive andmultiplerapeduringviolentevictionscommittedbyagentsofaprivatesecuritycompany,

43 According to the Public Orden Bill, (Chapter II, Art. 8, 14.12.1965) during a State of Prevention, the state has the power to militarize public services, limit or ban the right to protest, strike as well as meetings, and interrupt them by force. Ban vehicle circulationand censor publications.

34

theNationalCivilPoliceandthearmyofGuatemala,onJanuary17,2007inthecommunityLote8,inElEstor,Izabal.AcomplaintforthiscasewasfiledinToronto,Canadaandforwhichshebeingthreatened.RosaElviradescribeshowshehasbeenthreatenedbecauseofherpursuitofjustice:“AlthoughIhavereceivedmanythreats,IhavebeentoldthatIwillbekilledwheretheyfindme,butIwillnotstopthisfight,becauseofthat,Iwillcontinueasfarasmylifereaches.”44

Policiesimplementedinfavorofemployersandlandlordshavealsocausedtheviolentevictionoffamiliesandentirecommunities,inwhichwomenandgirlsaretheoneswhomostlyseetheirrightsviolated.Thesameentitiesresponsibleforensuringdueprocessandrespectforhumanrightsbefore,duringandaftertheevictions–HumanRightsOmbudsman, thePresidentialCommission thatCoordinatestheAdministration’sPolicyonHumanRights,prosecutorsandotherlocalgovernmentofficials-usuallyaccompanytheprocessofevictionassilentobserversofthatviolenceoccurringinfrontofthem.45Asithasbeenthecase,specificallyintheValleyofPolochic.

“Indigenous peoples who loose their territory loose their lives, many times our sisters are not going to state it this way. Because they know from their everyday that if they loose their land, they lose their life.”

WORK:Article 11, paragraphs d and e.

InGuatemalatherearealmost200,000domesticworkers,98%ofthemarewomen and of these, 60 percent are indigenous, many of them subjected toendless tasks and ill - treatmentwithout legal benefits and earning less thantheminimumwageestablishedbylaw(Q.2,893).46Theirworkingconditionsareprecarious andusually suffer ethnic and genderdiscrimination, coupledwithharassment,stalkingandsexualabuse.DomesticworkersinGuatemalahavea16hour-longworkdaywithoutfairpay.

44 http://comunitariapress.blogspot.com/2013/07/se-que-la-justicia-es-mia-aunque-me-la.html {I know justice is mine…)45 http://www.ghrc-usa.org/Resources/2011/GHRC_denounces_violent_evictions.htm#espanol 46 http://www.mintrabajo.gob.gt/index.php/salariominimo.html {Ministry of labor, on minimum wages}

35

The ratification of the ILO Convention 189 by Guatemala is a priority.According to studies throughout Latin America and the Caribbean47 access to social benefits is determinedmainly by paid rather than the unpaidwork,pointingouttothedisadvantageofwomen.

Generalaccesstoworkisdifficultforindigenouswomen.Accordingtoofficialdata,only42.9%ofwomenareemployed,while50.4%havenotworkedinthelast12months.

AnthropologistIrmaAliciaVelásquezNimatuj,agreeswiththatview,addingthat such latent discrimination is givenby gender, especially towardswomen,becausesometimestheyarepaidlesseventhoughtheyperformthesameworkasmendo, andhave feweropportunitiesor incorporating indecision-makingspaces.

RECOMMENDATIONS 1. Itisurgentthatstateinstitutionsestablishthenecessarymechanisms

forrecordingdataonindigenouswomen,ethnicityorthepeoplestheyarepartof,aswelltheirmothertongue.

2. TheElectoralandPoliticalPartiesLawshouldbereformedtoincludeparityandrotationwiththeinclusionofindigenouswomen.

3. It isessential that theStateofGuatemala, throughits legislativeand

executive branches, respect the nature of the Indigenous WomenOmbudsman, returning to indigenous women the possibility ofparticipatingintheelectiontheirrepresentative;allocatethenecessaryresources to ensure the implementation of actions according to thecontext,situationandconditionsofindigenouswomen.

4. The State, through the Ministry of Education, must improvestrategieensuretheongoingenrollmentofindigenousgirlsinschool,promotingscholarships,fellowships,mealsandpreventingharassment.

47 Gender Matter Series “Surveys on using time and unpaid work in Latin America Latina and the Caribbean, Paths Travelled and Future Challenges. Rosario Aguirre, Fernanda Ferrari, UN and Cepal Consultants, Feb. 2014, UNDP Santiago de Chile, CEPAL.

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5. TheMinistryofEducationmustresumethepreparationofBilingualandMulticulturalEducationTeachers.

6. TheStatemustadoptsteps toprovideattention incasesofviolence,generateawarenessamongpublicservants,generateactionstoregainpublicconfidenceinstateinstitutions,particularlytoensureaccesstojustice

7. ItisnecessarytostrengthentheCAIMUS,providingthemwithgreatereconomic resources,monitor the impact among indigenous womenandconsiderthecreationofnewcenters,undertheresponsibilityofindigenouswomen.

8. ImplementtheapplicationoftheProtocolofattentionforindigenouswomen,withparticipationofalljusticerelatedsectors.

9. The statemust understand and respect the decisions of indigenouspeoplesarisingfromconsultationsandstopdefendingtheinterestsofbigbusinessesandtransnationalcorporations.

10. It is urgent that institutions from the justice sector in Guatemala,have protocols or attentionmodels with the specificity required forindigenouswomenandgirlssupportinganappropriateandrespectfultreatment.

11. ThestateofGuatemalamustacknowledgeworthyworkofmidwivesandtogetherwithitsinstitutions,ensurethatstigmaanddiscriminationtowardsthemisreported.

ANNEXES

• VerificationreportofSanJuanSacatepéquez• ProtocolofAttentionforIndigenousWomen• PetitiontotheCommitteeCEDAW:Generalrecommendationtoguarantee

respect and application of individual and collectives of IndigenousWomen.

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LIST OF THE ORGANIZATION PARTICIPANTS IN SHADOW REPORT.

1. AsociaciónIxoq´TaPeet2. AsociacióndeMujeresLunaKaqchikel3. ALANEL4. OrganizaciónJuvenilparaelDesarrollodelaSociedadChirijoxOJDES5. AsociaciónJoJunam6. ComisiónComunitariadelaMujer7. GrupodeMujeresNuevaVida8. ComitédeMujeresEstrellaTzutujil9. GrupodeJóvenesChuisajcap10. GrupodeMujeresNuevoAmanecer11. OrganizacióndeMujeresNuevaEsperanza12. GrupoDemujeresNuevoAmanecer13. PastoraldelaMujer14. GrupodeMujeresSembradorasdeGirasoles15. GrupodeMujeresMedicinaNatural16. MolojIxoqi´17. OrganizaciónAMAP18. GrupodeMujeresNuevoAmanecer19. LaVozdelaResistencia20.OrganizacióndemujeresCOMIDEC21. OrganizacióndemujeresMUIXIL22. ReddeJóvenesCotzalenses23. GrupodeMujereselManantial24. ComitédeMujeresNuevaEsperanza25. ComitédemujeresporelDesarrolloChuixpita26. ComitédemujeresSanPablo27. GrupodeMujereselBuenSembrador28. ComitédeMujeresLasEstrellas29. AsociacióndeMujeresNuevoAmanecer30.AsociacióndeDesarrolloComunaldelaMujer31. ComitédemujeresElDesengaño32. MUJEMAYA33. MovimientoNacionaldeVictimasQanilTinimit34. AsociaciónElPorvenir

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35. ComitédemujeresnuevoMilenio36. AfroAmérica2137. ISERIBAGARI38. JUGADISU39. KIMONUWARA40.ComitédemujeresKAWOQ41. Asociación de Desarrollo Integral de la Mujeres Mayas, Santiago

ChimaltenangoADIMMSACHI42. GrupodeMujeresLasRositas43. OrganizacióndemujeresJolom44.OrganizaciónReddemujeres45. UniónSanPedrana46.OrganizacióndeMujeresPRODEMUJER47. OrganizacióndeMujeresTierraNueva48.GrupodeMujeresFlordemiTierra49.GrupodeMujeresflordeValle50.GruposdeJóvenesmisionesdeCristo51. MujeresPocomchi’ConstruyendoelFuturo52. ComitédeMujeresComunalSanLuis53. ComitédeMujeresRenacerenCristo54. CaseríoMonteAlegrePurulha55. ComitédeMujeresMayasPocomchi’56. ComitédeMujeresCaseríoElcomunal57. ComitéDeMujeresSachut58. ComitédeMujeresCaseríoBretaña59. ComitéDeMujeresCaseríoPatal60.RedInterMunicipalASIMAM61. CoordinadoradeOrganizacionesdeMujeresCantelense62. ADIURIMUJERES63. AsociaciónTotointegral64. AsociacióndeMujeresXinkadeGuatemalaASOMUXIGUA

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