Vital Voices Meets With Guatemalan Women

UNCLAS GUATEMALA 002094

SIPDIS

For US Treasury Virginia Cantor

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PHUM PREL GT WHA PDA
SUBJECT: Vital Voices Meets With Guatemalan Women



1. (U) Summary: Vital Voices Global Partnership held a two-day
Women's Leadership Retreat in Guatemala City in July. Present at the
conference were approximately 40 women leaders from diverse
backgrounds. The Ambassador hosted a reception in honor of the group
attended by more than 100 women and civic leaders. The goal is of a
democratic Guatemala with an educated, uncompromising populace that
will weed out corruption and promote transparency, ethics, and freedo
The women were passionate about their country and exuded relentless
perseverance to reform institutions, legal frameworks, and even
societal mindsets. End Summary.

Vital Voices Global Partnership in Guatemala
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2. (U) The two-day conference itinerary focused on techniques and
channels for women's leadership and ethics in a democratic society, a
strategies to combat trafficking in women and children. The
facilitators were joined by Virginia Cantor, Senior Counsel for Ethic
at the Department of Treasury. They provided thought-provoking
questions and moderated discussions of the Guatemalan women leaders.
Their technique was to create a forum conducive to openly and candidl
sharing stories, thoughts, beliefs, strategies, plans, and actions;
their modus operandi was extremely effective, and led to stimulating
and honest dialogue and a successful conference.

The Vision of Guatemalan Women
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3. (U) POL Intern attended three hours of the conference and was
struck by the courage and tenacity of the Guatemalan women. Among th
40 participants there were indigenous and ladino women, educators,
lawyers, health workers, political staffers, journalists,
veterinarians, and business, government, and nonprofit leaders. They
were from cities and rural areas with different upbringings,
educational backgrounds, experiences, and opportunities. They shared
the same characteristics of leadership; they were articulate and spok
with clarity and authority. They shared the same vision for Guatemal
and were willing to dedicate their lives in order to realize this
dream.


4. (U) In their discussion of ethics and corruption they touched up
sexual harassment by labor inspectors in the factories, bribery, misu
of government funds at the local and federal levels, wasting of time,
depriving people of education as a tactic to concentrate power, and
lack of access to power. One of the most poignant quotes aptly
summarizing the thoughts and desires of the women present: "We need
prioritize collective interests over personal interests. We need to
reconstruct the social fabric that has been so fragmented. New
generations need to be taught these principles. Development is
integral for all people, not only a few. We must become agents for
change because the country demands it. This is for our children. We
need to promote the rights of human beings to live different lives."
Another woman stated, "I hope when we leave here we have strategies."

Future Action
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5. (U) As a result of the conference, the women formed four
commissions which will work to develop public relations and gain
financial support. The commissions will meet to review the proposed
political agenda for the ongoing electoral process. They plan to set
an agenda that will become the basis for their joint efforts towards
more democratic and prosperous Guatemala. Coalition members have
contacted other groups and individuals to build their alliance for wh
they hope will be a national women's movement.

Comments
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6. (U) The Guatemalan women who convened for this conference possesse
the passion and intellect necessary to promote economic development a
democratic reform in their country. They demonstrated the capacity t
construct abstract theories and principles, strategize and plan, and
translate their blueprints into action. These women exhibited great
promise as current and future leaders in Guatemala. The conference
mobilized, strengthened, and equipped these women for the challenge
ahead.

HAMILTON