Guatemala City, Guatemala – During the months leading up to the September 2011 Guatemala parliamentary elections, the Women’s Democracy Network’s Guatemala Country Chapter worked diligently to achieve its goal to increase the participation of women during the general elections.

The chapter focused on increasing the capacity of women running for legislative seats through several activities. On April 1, WDN held a skills-building workshop focused on communications and fundraising strategies for election campaigns. In June, the Guatemala Country Chapter responded to a request by the Supreme Election Commission to register its members as volunteer election observers. In August, the chapter held a meeting with women from across the country to provide an overview of Guatemala’s electoral system and analyze women’s historic participation in elections and governance. 

The chapter also developed unique get-out-the-vote strategies, including producing a video urging women to vote in the upcoming elections and to consider voting for female candidates by highlighting women’s efficient and transparent work in public administration and their role in creating equal opportunities for women in Guatemala. WDN members who appeared in the video include Karina Flores, mayoral candidate in the Tiquisate municipality of Escuintla; Catalina Martinez, mayoral candidate in San Bartolomé Milpas Altas; Patricia Chin, candidate for the Guatemalan Congress; and Marta Sican who was running for reelection as mayor of San Juan Sacatepéquez.

As a result of the September 11, 2011 elections, WDN Guatemala Country Chapter member Congresswoman Sonya Segura was elected to the Central American Parliament. This legislative body works to strengthen democracy, promote unity and develop a modern society that cultivates cooperation and prosperity among Central American countries.

Through the work of the Guatemala Country Chapter 60 members either competed as candidates or volunteered their time supporting election campaigns or serving as domestic observers around the country. As the chapter members stated, “In our country, to achieve political empowerment of women, one must work hard to bridge the gap. Thanks to the opportunity WDN has given to us, we managed to participate in a responsible manner and are motivated to continue working to achieve our political goals.”