From Dina Júc, Association Utz ‘Che, Guatemala
The 8th of March is a day that many have confused for being a day to celebrate women. While it is no bad thing to honour us like that, this should be a day of analysis, to evaluate how far we have advanced as women, men, governments and the population in general in supporting and facilitating conditions to really exercise the right that corresponds to WOMEN. The 8th of March should be a day to devise new commitments to work and struggle side by side with women.
Indigenous, rural and fisher women from Guatemala and various countries around the world exercise an important role in the life and continuance of a healthy environment. Why? From our homes to the land we work arduously with our children, transferring knowledge from our grandmothers such as the care of a seed for sowing, the respect we must have for the corn.
“If you see a corn on the ground, pick it up for it is sacred.”
“Today there were strong winds, there will be a lot of firewood that we must carry home”
“This season is very good for collecting seeds”
These are all phrases that I have etched in my memory from my grandmother and grandfather, many elderly women repeat it again and again wherever I go.
This knowledge is passed on and applied in communities and families especially by women.