Inspiring Women’s Leadership and Resilience in Guatemala

By Mabel Bejarano and Paula Rudnicka

More than 10 years ago, Global Communities planted the seeds of change in Guatemala with the Women Empowered (WE) initiative. What began as a small pilot project in Huehuetenango has flourished into a national movement, driving women’s leadership and social and economic participation through community-based savings groups.

Fueled by innovation and a commitment to continuous adaptation, WE has empowered more than 25,000 Guatemalan women and their families, and inspired generations of women leaders and changemakers. Today, WE is not just a program; it’s a force for transformation.

In this interview, Mabel Bejarano Cobo, our Global Technical Advisor for Savings Groups & Women’s Empowerment, discusses the lasting impact of our WE programming in Guatemala with Ileana Nataly Larios Guillen, our National Coordinator for Women’s Empowerment. Last year, Nataly was honored with the Global Hero Award for her exceptional leadership in supporting thousands of women build financial literacy, grow their savings, invest in income-generating activities, and become leaders in their families and communities.

The conversation was edited for length and clarity.

Mabel: Could you share an overview Global Communities’ work in Guatemala? What are the key components of our programs, and how do we operate to achieve our goals?

Nataly: Global Communities has nearly 50 years of experience in Guatemala, primarily focusing on the western region of the country. Our work encompasses many areas, from humanitarian assistance and disaster risk reduction to food security, women’s economic participation, and primary school education.

We work closely with Indigenous populations, local and national governments, and private sector entities to generate synergies and achieve greater impact. Our approaches include mobilizing individual and collective action, and our primary goal is to support families across the country, mainly in rural areas.

Mabel: Why is promoting the participation and leadership of women important when working on these types of programs?

Nataly: In rural areas of Guatemala, most women work from home, which allows them to play crucial roles in their communities. This includes participation in community-based savings groups, which we form and support. Many women with whom we work demonstrate great leadership potential.

As their self-esteem increases, they begin making decisions, assuming leadership positions and connecting with community structures. Some become catalysts for transformation, mobilizing communities to take collective action and improve the lives of all people.

Mabel: How is Global Communities supporting women in Guatemala? Can you provide one example?

Nataly: Global Communities integrates its signature Women Empowered (WE) methodology into many programs in Guatemala. WE is a global savings group initiative which promotes the expansion of women’s economic opportunities and participation. The impact it generates is truly transformational. When women join WE, they begin a journey up the leadership ladder. 

First, they grow their intrinsic power, or “power within.” They begin connecting with the concepts of self-love and self-worth. They see themselves as unique individuals, greater than the sum of their parts. They are so much more than mothers, daughters and wives. They start believing in themselves.

Second, they cultivate their “power with” by joining WE groups with other women from their communities. They bond, offer peer support to each other, and engage in collective action. And third, they assume leadership positions within WE groups, running group meetings, serving as recordkeepers or facilitating group discussions. These roles allow them to gain practical leadership experience. They learn the art of public speaking and decision-making. They become more confident to voice their opinions, share their ideas and advocate for their needs. In addition, they learn new skills, for example financial literacy and entrepreneurship. Ultimately, many WE group members become leaders in public spaces where key positions have not traditionally been available to them.  We support them through all stages of this development process. 

Mabel: In addition to development programs, Global Communities delivers humanitarian assistance in Guatemala, which is prone to natural disasters. Can you tell us about our WE work in emergency contexts?

Nataly: Global Communities began integrating WE into humanitarian assistance programs in 2015. Since then, we have implemented WE in eight emergency programs: one in response to landslides, one following the eruption of the volcano Fuego, and six to address persistent drought, which has resulted in widespread food insecurity and malnutrition among children. 

One of the most important goals of working with WE groups in humanitarian settings is to strengthen women’s resiliency so that they can withstand emergencies, recover as quickly as possible, and be better prepared for future shocks and stresses.  

We work with women on many aspects of resilience. As their self-esteem and confidence grow, women have greater ability to make quick and effective decisions when emergencies strike, both alone and together with their spouses and families. Their economic resilience increases, too. They improve their ability to save money for emergencies and manage resources, including multi-purpose cash assistance, after the onset of emergencies. They also gain knowledge and skills to start or expand their income-generating activities, which help them sustain their families through difficult times.  

We are also observing women’s greater involvement in disaster response and recovery efforts at the community level. Many WE members join security brigades, manage shelters or become leaders in the food security and nutrition space, especially when their savings groups are formed within emergency food assistance programs. It is important to support them with knowledge and tools to carry out these activities. 

Mabel: How are WE groups fostering collective action in their communities? 

Nataly: WE groups are much more than informal community banks. They provide safe spaces for women, where they can freely share their opinions and discuss important social issues arising in their communities. Being in these safe spaces allows them to build social capital, trust and connections not only with each other but also with other community members. They gain strength to speak up and be heard. Then, they come together to craft solutions to common problems, design action plans and execute them in collaboration with other community leaders.

Mabel: How does the involvement and leadership of women contribute to the sustainability of our programs?

Nataly: As agents of change firmly embedded within their communities, women can use their new skills and capacities to drive progress even after Global Communities closes a program. They are also changemakers within their own families, educating their children about how to make a difference in their communities.

When daughters see their mothers as positive role models, they are more likely to grow up feeling empowered and become leaders themselves. I am very proud of this lasting intergenerational impact of our work.

Mabel: What is your vision for implementing WE in Guatemala in the next 5-10 years? What are your aspirations for the future?

Nataly: To me and to many women in Guatemala, WE is a powerful tool for lasting impact. It gives women new opportunities, new knowledge, and it opens their eyes to new possibilities. My vision is to grow the initiative and reach even more women across Guatemala. It will be also important for us to expand and strengthen our partnerships with local actors who support women, such as Municipal Directorates for Women, and private donors. This will make WE stronger and more sustainable. The key is to create a base from which women can take the leap forward and pursue new social, leadership and economic opportunities.  

Mabel: What is the most important thing you would like our audience to remember about WE in Guatemala? What are you most proud of?

Nataly: Innovation is ultimately about people, problem-solving and partnerships. The most successful innovations are those built on trust, respect and collaboration with the communities we aim to support. Empowering local voices in the innovation process not only builds favorable and enriching solutions but also ensures that our work is sustainable and rooted in genuine needs that will truly accelerate impact.

Mabel: Thank you for your insights, Nataly! How can our audiences learn more about WE? 

Nataly: Last year we celebrated 10-year anniversary of WE in Guatemala. You can read our press release here. I also encourage you to explore our visual story, Women Saving for Resilience: Transforming Lives Through Innovative Savings Group Solutions.