For you and me

As a young woman, I'm very passionate, friendly and outgoing. Some "causes" have interested me since I was young: recycling, our right as children or youth, standing up for what you believe. I was the speaker of my class in Primary and High School, the student president at the university; a "born leader" some called me... I didn't really believe it or payed much attention to it... until...

A few years ago, I realized I didn't know enough about my sexual and reproductive rights, about empowerment over my own body and decisions, over my sexuality, my beliefs. I wasn’t alone. You would think urban Guatemalan undergrad students would know more about these topics. But that is not true. Over and over I hear of stories of some 18 year old girl who is pregnant, or has an ITS and her “boyfriend” just doesn’t take responsibility or simply stops calling her. Of a girl who suffers violence at home or from her partner. Of a young woman that has been sexually active for years, without once experiencing pleasure or deciding when to have sex. I got interested in these topics, first because I wanted to be responsible and committed to myself, to knowing myself better and understanding what I wanted to do. And I stood up for me, for my friends, for the other young girls at my university. I understood that if I was passionate about these topics and had some influence on other girls, it was in my hands to stand up, and start doing something about this. Start asking for more access to information on our sexual rights, and start giving out this information; creating safe spaces to talk about these issues or to counsel other; start asking questions and looking for answers.

Today, we have a small group of young women (MU.J.E.R.E.S., http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100002080100898) that functions as a net, of information, contacts, activities; all related to the empowerment of young women through sexual education. Stand up for what you believe, for what is vital for others… break the silence.