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LAC Grantees FY24 — MMEG

Rebeca Austria Mejía

Audio transcript at the bottom of the page

Rebeca Austria Mejía (28), from Mexico, is completing her doctorate in political science at FLACSO, Mexico. In her thesis, Rebeca investigates the challenges and achievements that have occurred since abortion was decriminalized in Argentina and Colombia.

In her research, Rebeca investigated support networks, working closely with activists, mainly abortion companions, which allowed her to build a clearer view of the real day-to-day problems faced by those seeking an abortion. She concluded that while decriminalization is a democratic debt, the legality of abortion does not determine whether or not a woman has an abortion. Those who need one will do so regardless of the legal circumstances.  

Now pursuing her doctorate, Rebeca continues to pursue the goal that women live their sexual and (non)reproductive lives freely, without fear or guilt. She wants to work with and echo the many feminist organizations that have pointed out the “fight for abortion does not end with decriminalization; this is only the minimum, which, once achieved, will open the door to new demands and spaces for advocacy.”

In the long term, Rebeca intends to work as a teacher and researcher to build academic activism that facilitates the generation of relationships between civil society and academia. Her doctorate will allow her to build a solid framework and promote the transformations needed in this regard.

Rebeca states that whether from academia, activism, or public service, she will continue to build alliances and bridges that allow us to walk together towards a different, perhaps better world.

Rebeca Austria Mejía (28), de México, está realizando su doctorado en Ciencia Política en FLACSO, México. Con su tesis, Rebeca investiga los desafíos y logros ocurridos desde que se despenalizó el aborto en Argentina y Colombia.

En su tesis de maestría, Rebeca investigó las redes de apoyo, trabajando estrechamente con activistas, principalmente acompañantes abortistas, lo que le permitió construir una visión más cercana a los problemas reales y cotidianos que enfrentan quienes buscan abortar. Reconoce que la despenalización es una deuda democrática, no obstante, la legalidad del aborto no determina si una mujer aborta o no, quienes lo necesitan, lo harán sin importar la situación.

Con su doctorado, Rebeca continúa trabajando con el objetivo de que las mujeres vivan su vida sexual y (no)reproductiva libremente, sin miedos ni culpas. Quiere trabajar y hacerse eco de las múltiples organizaciones feministas, quienes han señalado que la “lucha por el aborto no se agota con la despenalización, sino que ésta es sólo lo mínimo, que una vez alcanzada abre la puerta a nuevas demandas y espacios de incidencia”.

A largo plazo, Rebeca pretende insertarse en espacios académicos como docente e investigadora a fin de construir un activismo académico que permita generar relaciones de intercambio entre la sociedad civil y la academia. Este doctorado le permitirá construir un marco sólido para impulsar las transformaciones que se necesitan en ese sentido.  

Rebeca afirma que “…desde la academia, el activismo o el servicio público, seguirá construyendo alianzas y puentes que nos permitan caminar juntas hacia un mundo diferente, quizás mejor…”.

Audio transcript: “I am doing comparative research between Colombia and Argentina. I originally was going to focus on how the implementation of abortion is working in the capital cities, but decided on also incorporating other regions, since concentrating on what happens in the capitals gives us a very partial view of what lies beyond.

I would very much like to bring these experiences to the Mexican situation too. 

Now more than ever, research is relevant not only in academic terms, but also in political terms. I approach research from a feminist epistemology. And seeing now, for example, the panorama that is being experienced in Argentina, I think it is fundamental to look for these new strategies so that we do not depend only on the State and that our lives and our procedures, in this case abortion, do not remain only in the hands of a select group of people, but that we build horizontal networks that allow us to have procedures every day without any complications.”

Andrea Covarrubias Pasquel

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Andrea Covarrubias Pasquel (28), from Mexico, is a doctoral student in social sciences with a specialization in sociology and migration, at FLACSO, Mexico. She studies the phenomenon of migration from a social sciences perspective. Her research focuses on the systematic violence and abuse that migrant women face while traveling through Mexico. She is studying and documenting stories of different Central American migrant women.

Since age 18, Andrea has worked as a volunteer in various Mexican NGOs that provide humanitarian services in defense of the human rights for migrants, such as La 72 Hogar Refugio para Personas Migrantes, Casa del Migrante Saltillo, and FM4 Paso Libre. Her work with migrant women has included creating and developing safe community spaces where they can find emotional support, education, and legal advice.

Andrea is using her vast experience working with migrant women and her academic research to make contributions to lessen the impact of violence women face when transiting Mexico. After graduating, she plans to launch a project called “School of Women in Resistance and Mobility” for those traveling along the Central America–Mexico–United States corridor. This project aims to build community support networks that help women develop resilience and self-care strategies to survive and stay safer during their journey.

Andrea is a passionate activist for the human rights of migrants and is committed to the constant search for justice and more egalitarian and less violent societies.

Andrea Covarrubias Pasquel (28), de México, es estudiante de doctorado en Ciencias Sociales con mención en Sociología y migración, en FLACSO, México. Estudia el fenómeno migratorio desde la perspectiva de las ciencias sociales. Su investigación se centra en la violencia y el abuso sistemáticos que enfrentan las mujeres migrantes mientras viajan por México. Ella está estudiando y documentando historias de diferentes mujeres migrantes centroamericanas.

Desde los 18 años, Andrea ha trabajado como voluntaria en diversas ONG mexicanas que brindan servicios humanitarios en defensa de los derechos humanos de las personas migrantes, como La 72 Hogar Refugio para Personas Migrantes, Casa del Migrante Saltillo y FM4 Paso Libre. Su trabajo con mujeres migrantes ha incluido la creación y desarrollo de espacios comunitarios seguros donde puedan encontrar apoyo emocional, educación y asesoramiento legal.

Andrea está utilizando su vasta experiencia trabajando con mujeres migrantes y su investigación académica para hacer contribuciones para disminuir el impacto de la violencia que enfrentan las mujeres cuando transitan por México. Después de graduarse, planea lanzar un proyecto llamado “Escuela de Mujeres en Resistencia y Movilidad” para quienes viajan por el corredor Centroamérica-México-Estados Unidos. Este proyecto tiene como objetivo construir redes de apoyo comunitario que ayuden a las mujeres a desarrollar resiliencia y estrategias de autocuidado para sobrevivir y mantenerse más seguras durante su viaje.

Andrea es una apasionada activista por los derechos humanos de los migrantes y está comprometida con la búsqueda constante de justicia y sociedades más igualitarias y menos violentas.

Audio transcript: “It seems to me that creating community spaces for women to teach from the ground can have a strong impact on the lives of the women who participate in the feminist migrant school. And it also seems to me that this knowledge and this impact on life, because not everything is translated into knowledge, can also be translated and reflected in the lives of others who are in contact with those who participate in the mobility school.”

Satty Fernández Alvarado

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Satty Fernández Alvarado (28), from Peru, is pursuing a master's degree in gender studies, development & communications at Pontificia Universidad Católica del Perú. Her research focuses on the social representation of Indigenous Amazonian and Andean women in the Peruvian media. Satty is committed to promoting communication free of stereotypes and sexism, advocating for an inclusive and respectful perspective on human rights.

Satty dedicates her career to feminist activism and the defense of women's rights. Her work experience includes roles in organizations such as CARE Peru, the German Cooperation GIZ, the Metropolitan Municipality of Lima, and Empowarmi, where she has worked on projects related to gender equality, the prevention of violence, and the promotion of human rights.

As an active volunteer with the Manuela Ramos Movement, Satty participates in initiatives that promote sisterhood, feminism, and diverse social activism. Her long-term vision includes founding an NGO focused on the sexual and reproductive rights of adolescent women in rural areas of Peru, with the goal of addressing the high rates of teenage pregnancy and promoting comprehensive sexual education.

Satty is a passionate advocate for social justice and is committed to building a more equitable and respectful world.

Satty Fernández Alvarado (28), de Perú, cursa la maestría en Estudios de Género, Desarrollo y Comunicación en la Pontificia Universidad Católica del Perú. Su investigación se centra en las representaciones sociales de las mujeres indígenas amazónicas y andinas en los medios de comunicación peruanos. Satty está comprometida con promover una comunicación libre de estereotipos y sexismo, abogando por una perspectiva inclusiva y respetuosa de los derechos humanos.

Satty dedica su carrera al activismo feminista y la defensa de los derechos de las mujeres. Su experiencia laboral incluye roles en organizaciones como CARE Perú, la Cooperación Alemana GIZ, la Municipalidad Metropolitana de Lima y Empowarmi, donde ha trabajado en proyectos relacionados con la igualdad de género, la prevención de la violencia y la promoción de los derechos humanos.

Como voluntaria activa del Movimiento Manuela Ramos, Satty participa en iniciativas que promueven la hermandad, los feminismos y el activismo social diverso. Su visión a largo plazo incluye fundar una ONG enfocada en los derechos sexuales y reproductivos de mujeres adolescentes en áreas rurales del Perú, con el objetivo de abordar las altas tasas de embarazo adolescente y promover la educación sexual integral.

Satty es una apasionada defensora de la justicia social y está comprometida a construir un mundo más equitativo y respetuoso.

Audio transcript : “This scholarship, which allows me to study for a master's degree in gender studies, a master's degree with a feminist focus, allows me to become more immersed in these issues, to be able to continue with my activism.

My commitment to the struggle for the rights of women, girls and adolescents  remains. It is something I have been focusing on for many years and I will continue to work on it. 

My undergraduate degree, which was on communication, linking a lot about the gender perspective, helps me a great deal. For me, feminist activism is my way of life. It is something that has helped me a lot, that even keeps me vital. I want to keep working harder. Even when I finish my master's degree, I want to continue to add to my knowledge.”

Lizbeth Hernández Cruz

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Lizbeth Hernández Cruz (34) is from an Indigenous Otomi community in Hidalgo, Mexico, and is pursuing a full-time doctorate in social anthropology at the Universidad Iberoamericana, Mexico. Starting college was a turning point in her life, when she realized that her ethnicity and social class would pose a great challenge.

She began studying marketing with the idea of ​​creating a company in her community to generate employment and reduce emigration. She is now developing doctoral research on femicidal violence in Indigenous communities in Mexico. This research seeks to contribute to the discussion about violence against Indigenous women, a very little explored field in Mexico.

Most of Lizbeth's volunteer work in her community is promoting knowledge about human rights and Indigenous peoples. She also guides women who experience violence and accompanies them to file formal complaints. Years ago, Lizbeth supported a family in a case of femicide so that the case was properly attended to by the authorities.

Lizbeth also supports young women to continue studying, advising them on universities and scholarships. In 2018 and 2019 she was part of a volunteer team dedicated to promoting a training space in Hidalgo for vocational guidance, with social significance for children and young people.

Her volunteer work at CONAMI, National Coordinator of Indigenous Women, includes teaching workshops for the prevention of gender violence against Indigenous women and the promotion of the rights of Indigenous peoples.

Lizbeth Hernández Cruz, (34) es de una comunidad indígena otomí en Hidalgo, México, y cursa un doctorado de tiempo completo en Antropología Social en la Universidad Iberoamericana - México. Comenzar la universidad fue un punto de inflexión en su vida, donde se dio cuenta de que su etnia y clase social serían un gran desafío.

Comenzó a estudiar marketing con la idea de crear una empresa en su comunidad para generar empleo y reducir la emigración. Ahora desarrolla una investigación doctoral sobre la violencia feminicida en comunidades indígenas de México.

Esta investigación busca contribuir a la discusión sobre la violencia contra las mujeres indígenas, un campo muy poco explorado en México.

La mayor parte del trabajo voluntario de Lizbeth, en su comunidad, es promover el conocimiento sobre los derechos humanos y los pueblos indígenas. También orienta a mujeres que viven violencia y las acompaña a presentar denuncias formales. Hace años, Lizbeth apoyó a una familia en un caso de feminicidio, para que el caso fuera debidamente atendido por las autoridades.

Lizbeth también apoya a mujeres jóvenes para que sigan estudiando, asesorándolas sobre universidades y becas. En 2018 y 2019 formó parte de un equipo de voluntariado dedicado a impulsar en Hidalgo un espacio de formación para la orientación vocacional, con significado social para niños y jóvenes.

Su trabajo voluntario en CONAMI, Coordinadora Nacional de Mujeres Indígenas, incluye la impartición de talleres para la prevención de la violencia de género contra las mujeres indígenas y la promoción de los derechos de los pueblos indígenas.

Audio transcript: “In Mexico, violence against women is a serious emergency. Up to 11 women might be murdered every day. The Indigenous population is made invisible. When a femicide occurs in an Indigenous community, sometimes it is not reported at the national level. Another thing that greatly interests me is the analysis of the impact of a femicide on the community. And this is something that is not addressed either in the academic sphere, much less in the sphere of public policies. It is a job that needs to be done. And so I try to ensure that the research and the academia and the committed research and the workshops and all this, are contributing, right? They are contributing so that the communities can solve these kinds of things, right?”

Nina Martínez Cruz

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Nina Martínez Cruz (34), an Indigenous woman from Mexico, is a doctoral student in political sociology at FLACSO, Mexico.  Recipient of a CONAHCYT (National Council of Humanities, Sciences and Technologies) scholarship, Nina's doctoral studies focus on the links between municipal management, indigenous regulatory systems, and the development of indigenous communities in her home state of Oaxaca. Nina is committed to developing evidence-based policies that promote gender equality and women's empowerment in Oaxaca.

Nina has a bachelor’s degree in public administration and a master's degree in social sciences, with a specialization in municipal development. She is a research professor with an interest in citizen participation, indigenous regulatory systems, transparency, social responsibility, social cohesion, and municipal finance. Her academic work has been published in specialized volumes and academic journals such as the Journal of Intercultural Studies.

Her commitment to the development of indigenous communities is shown in her long participation in literacy programs for women in indigenous communities of Oaxaca. Nina is bilingual in Zapotec, an indigenous language, and Spanish.

Nina plans to conduct her field research in isolated communities in the Sierra de Oaxaca and, after completing her PhD, use her academic platform to promote gender equality, defend women's political rights, strengthen women's empowerment; and, more broadly, use evidence to formulate impactful policies that promote human rights in her home state

Nina Martínez Cruz (34), mujer indígena mexicana, actualmente es estudiante de doctorado de Investigación en Sociología Política en FLACSO, México. Beneficiaria de una beca del CONAHCYT, los estudios de doctorado de Nina se centran en los vínculos entre la gestión municipal, los sistemas regulatorios indígenas y el desarrollo de las comunidades indígenas en su estado natal de Oaxaca. Nina está comprometida con el desarrollo de políticas basadas en evidencia que promuevan la igualdad de género y el empoderamiento de las mujeres en Oaxaca.

Nina tiene una licenciatura en Administración Pública y una maestría en Ciencias Sociales, con especialización en Desarrollo Municipal. Es profesora investigadora con intereses en torno a la participación ciudadana, los sistemas regulatorios indígenas, la transparencia, la responsabilidad social, la cohesión social y las finanzas municipales. Su trabajo académico ha sido publicado en volúmenes especializados y revistas académicas como el Journal of Intercultural Studies.

Su compromiso con el desarrollo de las comunidades indígenas se muestra en su larga participación en programas de alfabetización para mujeres en comunidades indígenas de Oaxaca. Nina es bilingüe en zapoteco, una lengua indígena, y español.

Nina planea realizar su investigación de campo en comunidades aisladas de la Sierra de Oaxaca y, después de completar su doctorado, utilizar su plataforma académica para promover la igualdad de género, defender los derechos políticos de las mujeres, fortalecer el empoderamiento de las mujeres; y, en términos más generales, utilizar evidencia para formular políticas impactantes que promuevan los derechos humanos en su estado de origen.

Audio transcript: “I believe that through the agency and empowerment of women, especially the younger ones, we can achieve more. We can seek better opportunities for future generations. So, I believe that the work that I am currently doing is not only just for now, but is a continuous work for later on, and that the women with whom I am going to work, will continue with their children or, the girls, with whom I would like to implement a workshop, they know their rights, so that later on they can leave their communities and visit places and also begin to study, because many indigenous people have not had the opportunity to access higher education.”

Sandra Vanessa Ramos Vidal

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Sandra Vanessa Ramos Vidal (28), from El Salvador, is studying for her master's degree in sociology at FLACSO, Ecuador. Her studies focus on analyzing the role played by Salvadoran feminist organizations and the FMLN party in the decriminalization of abortion in El Salvador. She supports victims of human rights violations and is dedicated to promoting the right to education of children and adolescents living in rural areas of El Salvador.

She has extensive experience with government and non-profit organizations. Sandra worked on the government program “Grow Together,” aimed at ensuring that children reach their full potential. She led the creation and operation of community and municipal organizations that defend the rights of early childhood and adolescence.

Sandra has advised on the implementation and evaluation of public management tools. She has also worked with victims of human rights violations and has accompanied them in the process of seeking justice, truth, and reparation. Sandra has organized training sessions and workshops to promote human rights and discuss gender and migration issues.

In her academic career, she investigated the popular demands of social movements and their impact on the formulation of public policies, the configuration of the state, the creation of institutions, democracy, and contentious politics, and the dynamics of power and hegemony.

After her studies, Sandra seeks to collaborate with human rights organizations and feminist and community organizations that promote the agenda of sexual and reproductive rights with a gender perspective in the legislative sphere.

Sandra Vanessa Ramos Vidal (28), de El Salvador, cursa su maestría en Sociología en FLACSO, Ecuador. Sus estudios se centran en analizar el papel jugado por las organizaciones feministas salvadoreñas y el partido FMLN en la despenalización del aborto en El Salvador. Apoya a víctimas de violaciones de derechos humanos y se dedica a promover el derecho a la educación de niños, niñas y adolescentes que viven en zonas rurales de El Salvador.

Tiene amplia experiencia con organizaciones gubernamentales y sin fines de lucro. Sandra trabajó en el programa gubernamental “Crecer Juntos”: una política pública destinada a garantizar que los niños alcancen su máximo potencial. Lideró la creación y funcionamiento de organizaciones comunitarias y municipales en defensa de los derechos de la primera infancia y la adolescencia.

Sandra ha asesorado en la implementación y evaluación de herramientas de gestión pública. También ha trabajado con víctimas de violaciones de derechos humanos y las ha acompañado en el proceso de búsqueda de justicia, verdad y reparación. Sandra ha organizado capacitaciones y talleres para promover los derechos humanos y discutir cuestiones de género y migración.

En su carrera académica investigó las demandas populares de los movimientos sociales y su impacto en la formulación de políticas públicas, la configuración del Estado, la creación de instituciones, la democracia, la política contenciosa y las dinámicas de poder y hegemonía.

Luego de sus estudios, Sandra busca colaborar con organizaciones defensoras de derechos humanos, organizaciones feministas y comunitarias que impulsen la agenda de derechos sexuales y reproductivos con perspectiva de género en el ámbito legislativo.

Audio transcript: “I will share the results of my research with feminist organizations that have worked to create sexual and reproductive rights agendas in the country. I plan to strengthen these through the progress I make.”

“I am investigating the weaknesses of these agendas with a view to building agendas that focus on rights in the country, weaknesses that have posed challenges when promoting the agendas in the legislative space. For example, decriminalization of abortion has been a critical issue in El Salvador. So, I will try to contribute a little by looking for the weaknesses that have existed in this process of building a feminist agenda, while at the same time  offering possible alternatives to advance construction of the agenda.”

Eva Rodríguez Espino

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Eva Rodriguez Espino (37), from Mexico, is pursuing a doctorate in critical gender studies, specializing in gender law at Universidad Iberoamericana, Mexico. She is a tireless professional fighting for access to justice for vulnerable people, especially women and children victims of family violence, in their homes. Eva’s focus is to benefit her community.

Eva has herself suffered discrimination for being a woman; therefore, she seeks to fight for equality in judicial processes, specifically in the representation of family and gender violence victims. She started as a lawyer at GR ABOGADOS, specializing in gender-based family violence. She has dedicated the past 15 years of her professional career to the development and coordination of social service programs linked to this legal issue. On many occasions, Eva provided counsel without charging fees because many of the women did not have sufficient resources. 

Eva then transferred her social commitment fight to academia. She speaks for those who go through double revictimization when seeking judicial intervention. 

Working at the Iberoamerican University, Eva was responsible for the creation and administration of a social office, operated by students in their last semester of law school, which serves to help those who could not pay for a lawyer. 

Eva is a professional and an academic. She is a responsible person who confronts challenges and works for the benefit and well-being of her community. Her initiatives to commit to others are helping to healing women in need.

Eva Rodríguez Espino (37), de México, cursa el Doctorado en Estudios Críticos de Género, con especialidad en Derecho de Género en la Universidad Iberoamericana, México. Es una profesional incansable que lucha por el acceso a la justicia de personas vulnerables, especialmente mujeres y niños víctimas de violencia familiar, en sus hogares. El objetivo de Eva es beneficiar a su comunidad.

La propia Eva ha sufrido discriminación por ser mujer por lo que busca luchar por la igualdad en los procesos judiciales, específicamente en la representación de las víctimas de violencia familiar y de género. Se inició como abogada en GR ABOGADOS, especializándose en violencia familiar de género. Ha dedicado los últimos 15 años de su carrera profesional al desarrollo y coordinación de programas de servicios sociales vinculados a esta temática jurídica. En muchas ocasiones Eva brindó asesoría sin cobrar honorarios ya que muchas de estas mujeres no contaban con recursos suficientes.

Eva trasladó su lucha por el compromiso social a la academia. Habla en nombre de quienes pasan por una doble revictimización cuando buscan una intervención judicial.

Trabajando en la Universidad Iberoamericana, Eva fue responsable de la creación y administración de una oficina social, operada por estudiantes de último semestre de la carrera de derecho, que sirve para ayudar a quienes no pueden pagar un abogado.

Eva es una excelente profesional y académica. Es una persona responsable que enfrenta desafíos y trabaja por el beneficio y bienestar de su comunidad. Sus iniciativas para ayudar y comprometerse con los demás están contribuyendo a sanar a mujeres necesitadas.

Audio transcript: : “I believe that the impact of my research will be relevant in the sense that it will disseminate a little-known judicial process, especially among vulnerable populations, women and children, precisely. I think that clarifying that process as well as its currently existing deficiencies can help to favor the process itself in practice. Additionally, I intend to develop a protocol that will be available to the public, so that it can be accessible to anyone who seeks it. This is in addition to the thesis. It is my intention to elaborate this protocol.”

Johana Romero López

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Johana Romero López (32), from Colombia, is doing a master’s degree in development management and practice at the Universidad de los Andes. She is co-founder of the nonprofit Mi Propósito, where she promotes female empowerment with the strengthening of local economies through socio-environmental entrepreneurship.

Johana works for women and with women to strengthen local economies within the framework of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The objective of her master's degree is to enhance Mi Propósito, whose purpose is to promote connection between rural entrepreneurs (mostly women and youth) working towards the SDGs, promote them as local economies, and assist in networking. Mi Propósito selects the best ventures and gives them visibility on its platform.

She has promoted female empowerment in all areas through the Semillero Mujeres Líderes con Propósito project and has worked to promote rural social entrepreneurship and sustainability, specifically the transition to sustainable energy. Johana's goal with community work, especially with women, is sustainable well-being for them and their families.

The Semillero resulted in 11 initiatives being supported and one being made visible on the platform www.miproposito.org, to mobilize the necessary resources for its continuation. One of Johana's personal objectives is to identify an innovative initiative created by a woman or a young person in each municipality of Colombia and make it visible through the platform.

Johana Romero López (32), de Colombia, actualmente cursa una maestría en Gestión y Práctica del Desarrollo en la Universidad de los Andes. Es cofundadora de “Mi Propósito” donde promueve el empoderamiento femenino con el fortalecimiento de las economías locales a través del emprendimiento socioambiental.

Johana explica que trabaja por las mujeres y con mujeres para fortalecer las economías locales en el marco de los Objetivos de Desarrollo Sostenible (ODS). El objetivo de su maestría es potenciar su organización “Mi Propósito”; Su propósito es promover la conexión entre empresarios rurales (en su mayoría mujeres y jóvenes) que trabajan para lograr los objetivos de los ODS, promoverlos como economías locales y ayudar a establecer redes. “Mi Propósito” selecciona los mejores emprendimientos y les da visibilidad en su plataforma.

Ha impulsado el empoderamiento femenino en todos los ámbitos a través del proyecto 'Semillero Mujeres Líderes con Propósito' y ha trabajado para impulsar el emprendimiento social rural y la sostenibilidad, en concreto la transición a la energía sostenible. El objetivo de Johana con el trabajo comunitario, especialmente con las mujeres, es trabajar hacia el bienestar sostenible para ellas y sus familias.

Como resultado del Semillero, se apoyaron 11 iniciativas en su estructuración y una de ellas fue visibilizada en la plataforma www.miproposito.org, para movilizar los recursos necesarios para su continuidad. Uno de los objetivos personales de Johana es identificar una iniciativa innovadora creada por una mujer o un joven en cada municipio de Colombia y visibilizarla a través de la plataforma.

Audio transcript: “Undoubtedly, the master's degree I am doing has given me many concepts, many tools, much knowledge, but I have also managed to connect with many people working in different territories in Colombia. And this helps me to strengthen the project we have in our foundation, in my organization. This is how I connect the master's degree. The people with whom I study, the professors, have contributed a lot to the projects we have done in “Mi Propósito" foundation and particularly for this project we have in Casanare.”

Daniela Tánchez Sandoval

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Daniela Tánchez Sandoval (25) is a nutritionist from Guatemala deeply involved in accompanying, advising, and transforming rural communities and creating projects that can be implemented to empower women and provide better living conditions, thus allowing their children to focus on education.

Since 2019, Daniela has worked with women in the agricultural sector—small producers, mothers who are heads of households, and rural businesswomen—and has contributed to improving community practices in towns where 80% of children are chronically malnourished and almost 100% of women are chronically malnourished and anemic.  It is this dramatic context that inspired Daniela to join, as a nutritionist, a multidisciplinary work team under the auspices of the Nutritional Health and Agroecology Project, of the NGO: “Asociación Vivamos Mejor”, the Inspiring Network of Women in Agriculture in Santa Cruz La Laguna, Sololá, Guatemala, from 2019 to July 2023. The project focused its attention and institutional efforts on improving the quality of life of human beings and the natural environment that surrounds them.

Daniela believes that perfecting current interventions, as well as incorporating technology into productive units to underpin the viability of the rural economy, offers the best possibilities for improving nutrition in the poorest communities in Guatemala.

She is determined to continue supporting rural communities, especially those that are vulnerable and led by women, in seeking financing and access to markets. Daniela strives to be a role model for all women in Guatemala who are discriminated against, forced to conform to stereotypes, and feel they cannot be scientists and leaders. 

Daniela Tánchez Sandoval (25) es una nutricionista de Guatemala profundamente involucrada en acompañar, asesorar y transformar comunidades rurales y crear proyectos que puedan implementarse para empoderar a las mujeres y brindar mejores condiciones de vida, permitiendo así que los niños se enfoquen en la educación.

Desde 2019 ha trabajado con mujeres del sector agrícola –pequeñas productoras, madres cabeza de hogar y empresarias rurales– y ha contribuido a mejorar las prácticas comunitarias en pueblos donde el 80% de los niños padecen desnutrición crónica y casi el 100% de las mujeres padecen desnutrición crónica y anemia. Es este dramático contexto el que inspiró a Daniela a integrarse, como nutricionista, a un equipo de trabajo multidisciplinario bajo el auspicio del Proyecto Salud Nutricional y Agroecología, de la ONG: “Asociación Vivamos Mejor”, la Red Inspiradora de Mujeres en la Agricultura en Santa Cruz La Laguna, Sololá, Guatemala, de 2019 a julio de 2023. El proyecto centró su atención y esfuerzos institucionales en mejorar la calidad de vida de los seres humanos y el entorno natural que los rodea.

Daniela cree que perfeccionar las intervenciones actuales, así como incorporar tecnología a las unidades productivas para apuntalar la viabilidad de la economía rural, ofrecen las mejores posibilidades para lograr un mejor estado nutricional en las comunidades más pobres de Guatemala.

Está decidida a seguir apoyando a las comunidades rurales, especialmente aquellas vulnerables y lideradas por mujeres, en la búsqueda de financiación y acceso a los mercados. Daniela se esfuerza por ser un modelo a seguir para todas las mujeres en Guatemala que son discriminadas, obligadas a ajustarse a estereotipos y sienten que no pueden ser científicas y líderes.

Audio transcript: “When I  go back, I am going to return to the organization that I am in. Currently I work online, but the impact is, to be able to create projects that can demonstrate how all the social projects that address nutrition work, but especially those that empower women so that they can continue since, of course, they are  the center of the home. And if women are  empowered and are knowledgeable, we can help children. So that is the impact that I want to create and the impact that I hope I can have with the knowledge I gain from this master's degree.”

Manuela Valenzuela Vieda

Audio transcript at the bottom of the page

Audio transcript at the bottom of the page

Manuela Valenzuela (32), from Colombia,  has a master’s degree in environmental engineering. She is completing medical school at Universidad de Los Andes. She is committed to helping disadvantaged children improve their quality of life. Her research projects involving pediatric populations are diverse: she has studied the relationship between air pollution and respiratory illness, asbestos exposure, traffic-related injuries prevention, and the possible connection between heat exposure and mortality.

One of Manuela’s projects investigates the effects of Bogota’s cable car transportation system “TransMiCable” on pediatric respiratory systems. The project is supported by the EPIANDES research team and the SALURBAL project.  She was able to demonstrate that the TransMiCable has helped to reduce respiratory ailments in those children living in the most vulnerable communities of Bogota.

Manuela's current studies involve trying to mitigate one of the main causes of pediatric mortality in Colombia: road accidents. She hopes to collect practical and concrete data that can help the Colombian government improve vehicle and traffic safety standards. Additionally, she plans to become a pediatric trauma orthopedic surgeon and collaborate with non-profit organizations such as the Colombian Civil Air Patrol, which provides medical, humanitarian, and emergency care to vulnerable populations.

She aims to apply her expertise in engineering, medicine, epidemiology, public health, and transportation to give back to the disadvantaged in Colombia. 


Manuela Valenzuela, ingeniera ambiental y magíster colombiana de 32 años, actualmente finalizando medicina en la Universidad de Los Andes. Está comprometida con la mejora de la calidad de vida de los niños que viven en condiciones vulnerables. Su investigación sobre la población pediátrica incluye el estudio de la relación entre contaminación del aire y enfermedades respiratorias, la problemática del uso del asbesto, los siniestros viales y la relación calor-mortalidad.

Uno de los proyectos de Manuela estudia el impacto del novedoso sistema de transporte teleférico “TransMiCable” en los síntomas respiratorios de los niños. Este proyecto cuenta con el respaldo del grupo de investigación EPIANDES y del proyecto SALURBAL. Ha demostrado que “TransMiCable” redujo los síntomas respiratorios de los niños que viven en las comunidades más vulnerables de Bogotá.

Los planes futuros de Manuela incluyen estudiar una de las principales causas de mortalidad infantil/juvenil en Colombia: los siniestros viales. Espera contribuir a su reducción a través de investigaciones que otorguen información sólida al gobierno su país. Adicionalmente, planea convertirse en cirujana ortopédica de trauma y colaborar con organizaciones sin ánimo de lucro como la Patrulla Aérea Civil Colombiana que brinda atención médico-quirúrgica, humanitaria y de emergencia a poblaciones extremadamente vulnerables.

Tiene como objetivo aplicar su experiencia en ingeniería, medicina, epidemiología, salud pública y transporte, y retribuir a la sociedad a través de su trabajo. 

I hope, after becoming an orthopedist, to carry out four roles. Well, it's one role accompanied by three others. The main one is to be a children's orthopedist here in Colombia and the other three accompanying roles are,  being a doctor in a university hospital, I hope to be a teacher for many adolescents and accompany them on their way to become doctors and, at those university hospitals, I hope to be able to develop a research path where students get involved and we can continue contributing to the studies and  addressing children’s problems here in Colombia. The fourth aspect is, as part of the Colombian air patrol, who are orthopedists and general surgeons who travel to the most remote places in the country and donate their work  tending to people who do not have access to health care.