Contraceptive methods are not commonly available in many rural Guatemalan communities.
Why we care: It is common for poor Mayan women living in rural Guatemala to have seven or more children—even though in many cases they do not want to.
How we’re solving this: Providing safe, reversible and confidential family planning services and education in the communities where women live.
Mayan women educators provide education and counseling, as well as contraceptive methods. As a result, women in the community can access contraceptives from another indigenous woman—a woman who shares her culture, her language and understands her.
We also works to provide sex education and contraceptive methods for young people so they have the choice to postpone getting pregnant.
There is a proven connection between family size and the health of women and their children. In families with fewer children, mothers and babies tend to be better nourished, get sick less often and be more likely to seek health care when they do get sick.
This project will help us support Mayan women access the health care they need to control their bodies and their futures.