The Diverse and Inclusive Guatemala (Guatemala, Diversa e Inclusiva) project ensures that the sexual/reproductive, legal and labor rights of the LGBTIQ+ community and young people are met. It specifically helps adolescents in Guatemala take ownership of their human rights, exercising them with autonomy and in conditions of inclusion and equality.

Why protecting LGBTIQ+ rights in Guatemala is important

LGBTIQ+ and young people in Guatemala face many challenges preventing them from fully enjoying their sexual and reproductive rights (SRR), access to justice, and labor rights. The predominant patriarchal culture, combined with a volatile political context, leads to discriminatory and violent practices affecting these groups in particular.

Access to comprehensive sexuality education in the country is low: only 7 percent of adolescents had received comprehensive sexuality education in 2017. Maternal mortality rates are high, and there is an alarming increase in teenage pregnancies and unsafe abortions. These situations are caused and aggravated by sexual and gender-based violence that affects girls, adolescents, women and sexually diverse individuals. As for LGBTIQ+ youth, being the target of stigma, discrimination, and violence also results in expulsion or dropping out from school and exclusion from the family circle and/or work environment.

How we work towards a diverse and inclusive Guatemala

To counter this, Hivos has joined forces with eight Guatemalan civil society organizations. These include LGBTIQ+ groups and youth-led organizations specialized in promoting and defending sexual and reproductive rights, and organizations with experience in reaching out to young people and children. We use four intervention strategies: rights empowerment (sexual, legal, labor); capacity strengthening; knowledge management, and policy advocacy.

Together we will ensure that:

  • State institutions respond effectively to the demands and needs of young LGBTIQ+ people regarding sexual and reproductive rights and health, access to justice and job opportunities.
  • Children, adolescents and youth have proper access to comprehensive sexuality education.

Where

Guatemala, specifically the departments of Guatemala, Quetzaltenango, Quiché and Huehuetenango.

Results

  • 5,500 LGBTIQ+ people learned about their sexual and reproductive rights, and how to access health, education and justice services.
  • 2,500 employees and public officials were successfully sensitized and trained about the rights of LGBTIQ+ people.
  • 5,400 boys, girls, adolescents and young people learned about their sexual reproductive rights and where to access health, education and justice services.
  • 1,000 employees and public officials learned more about conducting comprehensive sexuality education for boys, girls, and adolescents.

Developing tools for advocacy

We supported the LGBTIQ+ Open Data Center in Guatemala. In collecting and analyzing data, our partner GAX exposed the inefficient prosecution of violence against the LGBTIQ+ community. As a result, a rare public debate ensued about legal frameworks and protocols in Guatemala.

Our partner FLACSO published studies on anti-SRR organizations in Guatemala and on the experiences of LGBTIQ+ people in educational centers. They were widely used for advocacy and awareness raising in decision-making spaces and to influence public opinion in social media campaigns with alternative media.

Period and budget

November 2019 to November 2023, SEK. 32,000,000 (USD. 3,327,040)

Partners

Implemented by Hivos’ country office in Guatemala with ODASA, SOMOS, Vidas Paralelas, GAX and Visibles (targeting the sexual and reproductive rights of the LGBT+ population), OSAR and Incide Joven (targeting the sexual and reproductive rights of adolescents and young people), and FLACSO (knowledge management).

Donor

Embassy of Sweden in Guatemala