![]() So, what is the government doing with the funds intended for our education? They are not devoting sufficient funds to education. ![]() If someone wants to be educated, they have to be self-motivated and fight for their right to an education. It is intended to ensure that our children receive a quality education, from early childhood through young adulthood.īut even today, many Guatemalan adults are illiterate and have no formal education. In the International Labor Organization Convention, it is very clear that the government must include the rights and values of indigenous communities in their policy decisions. ![]() So, do you feel that education should be controlled more at the local level, rather than the national level? In this way, we can ensure education for girls as well as build greater social consciousness among girls and thus ultimately, for women. I feel that education in each community should be based on the traditions and values of that community. For many of the indigenous communities in Guatemala, a traditional Western education isn’t the best education system. Every community has its own culture, its own customs and traditions. In order to improve conditions for women, we need to focus on comprehensive education for girls in every Guatemalan community. It is very difficult for these women to advocate for their daughters. So, in this context, I think of the mothers: many mothers have experienced such abuses and continue to suffer from the psychological trauma. There is a great deal of impunity for those who commit violence against women, and many, many women have suffered exploitation and sexual abuse. Moreover, the lack of girls’ education is part of the larger problem of gender inequality in Guatemala. Education in much of the country is still very poor. The administration is accustomed to creating policies that only serve their own political interests. But his policies have not led to good education programs: they are unsuccessful because the policies have had little impact for communities in rural areas of the country. Many Guatemalans believe that President Colom’s administration has looked for ways to improve access to education, including for girls, with the intention of benefiting all children. Do you feel that these policies have in fact improved access for children, particularly for girls? If not, how can we help improve girls’ access to education? Maria Cuc Choc Guatemalan President Álvaro Colom recently instituted policies designed to improve access to education, including abolishing inscription fees at primary public schools. This interview was conducted in Spanish, and was translated to English by Louise McLarnan. She is an advocate for indigenous rights and women’s rights issues. Maria Cuc Choc is a Q’eqchi Mayan community leader in the Izabal region of Guatemala. ![]()
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