Since 2006, the Peter Newman Foundation has worked with Justin Coburn and Peace and Diversity Australia to provide funding for a range of programs to improve the lives of Mayan women in the Chiapas region of Southern Mexico.
These women are part of Las Abejas (The Bees), whose membership includes over four hundred families from twenty-seven communities, principally rural farmers mostly Tsotziles, of the Mayan Nation. Las Abejas are a non-violent Indigenous social movement advocating for human rights, land rights, and peace in Chiapas.
Known for their resistance to displacement and violence, they emphasize non-violence, community self-determination, and Indigenous identity. The group gained international attention following the Acteal Massacre in 1997, where 45 of its members were killed while praying in a chapel in the community of Acteal
Las Abejas Women Empowerment Program
Indigenous Community in Chiapas, Mexico
The Programs supported by PNF include:
Savings Groups: Women form savings groups where their savings are matched peso for peso (up to AUD $5/mth). The women in the group manage their own funds and be able to access these funds for medical emergencies and other needs.
Micro-credit bank: After a year of proven savings the women’s groups are able to borrow small amounts of micro-credit for small projects aimed to increase income. Additional support is provided to the women’s groups for the implementation of their projects in order to maximise the probability of success. Interest charged is used to administer the project and increase capital so that other women can join.
Increasing skills, capacity and education of women: Provision of ongoing accompaniment to the women to assist them with the running of their projects as well as providing training and capacity building on different areas such as book-keeping, literacy and Spanish.
Defending and promoting the rights of women: Women will receive training and information on defending their rights whilst women who have their rights violated will be supported in their efforts to seek justice
