On the occasion of the International Day of Indigenous Women, Guatemalan President Bernardo Arévalo and Labor Minister Miriam Roquel presented the Ütz Samaj Order to seven indigenous women leaders in recognition of their contributions to the country. The ceremony, held at the National Palace of Culture, honored representatives from Maya, Xinca, and Garífuna communities whose work spans labor rights, cultural preservation, and social advocacy. Arévalo emphasized that the award celebrates women who have demonstrated resilience, leadership, and commitment in complex contexts, serving as symbols of hope and justice for Guatemala.
The honorees included leaders from organizations of domestic workers, midwives, widows, weavers, and regional women’s networks. Alongside the awards, the president reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to advancing indigenous women’s rights, highlighting recent efforts such as reviving the Office for the Defense of Indigenous Women, proposing new protections for domestic workers, and integrating indigenous women into government leadership.
Compiled From: Brenda Larios, “President entrega la Orden Ütz Samaj a mujeres indígenas por su liderazgo en el país,” Agencia Guatemalteca de Noticias, Sept. 5, 2025.