Conducted in close collaboration with Guatemalan organization Fundación Sobrevivientes (FS), the Mujer Florece project includes the design and facilitation of entrepreneurial workshops and psychological support sessions focusing on empowerment, gender equality and economic security for women survivors of violence in Huehuetenango, San Marcos and Retalhuleu. In addition to practical entrepreneurship courses and group therapy, this new initiative will also provide INTECAP scholarships (a national organization providing marketable skills training and certification) and start-up materials for a select group of women that wish to launch entrepreneurial ventures. This will occur in tandem with workshops on positive masculinities offered to family members in order to foster their allyship and support for the women, while addressing and disrupting harmful gender norms.

The project builds upon existing methodology for women’s empowerment, economic advancement, and entrepreneurship, initially developed by FS, as well as new complimentary additions by JES. The integrated approach to economic development for survivors combines psychological support, technical skills development, and public legal education and information, including labour rights and human rights.