JES Projects
Mujer Florece: Empowerment and Economic Security for Women Survivors of Violence
Developed under the USAID funded Catalyst Project commontly referred to as “Mujer Prospera”, the “Mujer Florece” initiative was implemented in close collaboration with Guatemalan organization Fundación Sobrevivientes (FS). The Mujer Florece Initiative included 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, Guatemala.
In addition to practical entrepreneurship courses and group therapy, this initiative provided INTECAP scholarships (a national organization providing marketable skills training and certification) and start-up materials for a select group of women who sought to launch entrepreneurial ventures. This assistance was provided 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 was built upon an existing methodology for women’s empowerment, economic advancement, and entrepreneurship, initially developed by FS, and complemented 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.
