Upward Climb #2

Carolyn Morris

Mayan communities in the Guatemalan Highlands have been and continue to experience injustice. Mayan women are doubly discriminated against because of the very machismo society found in Guatemala. These women, however, are the strongest women I have ever met. They spend their days carrying children in slings over their backs while walking up and down steep mountain sides with heavy buckets of water or bags of weavings. They also take care of all household chores and meal preparation. This picture shows the strength of these women and the hard struggle they have been facing. It also presents a sense of hope which has been slowly growing as human rights violations in Guatemala are slowly decreasing due to international interest and help. There are also many international groups that are working towards empowering the women in Guatemala, especially Mayan women. Could you carry that bucket on your head while walking up those stairs?