November 25th is recognized by the United Nations as the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women. In Latin America, the date carries special meaning because it commemorates the 1960 assassination of the three Mirabal sisters – Patria Mirabal, Minerva Mirabal, and María Teresa Mirabal. Known as Las Mariposas (The Butterflies), the sisters were courageous activists who opposed the brutal dictatorship of Rafael Trujillo in the Dominican Republic. In honor of their legacy, WILD Delegate Pahola Solano chose November 25, 2025, to lead a workshop in Guatemala focused on ending violence against women.
The gathering brought together 22 women with diverse disabilities for a day of learning, reflection, and empowerment. Pahola partnered with Mujeres Transformando el Mundo (Women Transforming the World) to deliver a workshop on “Derecho a vivir una vida libre de violencia”, the right to live a life free from violence. In a welcoming meeting space, participants explored national and international laws that protect women and people with disabilities from violence and discrimination.
The workshop created a safe space for participants to share their experiences and reflect on the intersection of gender and disability in the fight against violence. Together, they discussed how violence can take many forms, such as physical, psychological, economic, and more. They also learned practical ways to recognize and report abuse. The impact of the conversation was immediate.
As one WILD-Guatemala participant shared, “I’m leaving different than when I arrived because now I know my rights better.” Another reflected, “Today I learned that no one should allow anyone to abuse us.”
The training also launched an exciting new initiative: a book of stories documenting the experiences of women with disabilities in Guatemala. Developed in partnership with Conectivas (Connections), the project aims to amplify the voices of disabled women and raise awareness about the discrimination and violence they face.
Later in the day, the energy shifted to celebration and visibility. Professional makeup artists and hairstylists arrived to prepare participants for an outdoor photoshoot. Wearing bright orange WILD Guatemala shirts (orange being the global color of the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women) the women posed proudly together. The photographs will appear in Guatemala’s first calendar featuring women with disabilities, to be released in 2026.
The workshop concluded with participants developing action plans to continue the fight against violence in their communities. Their plans include improving access to services for survivors of violence, training healthcare workers, police, and judicial officials to better identify and respond to abuse, and creating violence response protocols that address the intersection of gender and disability.
Reflecting on the experience, Pahola shared:
“It was a wonderful experience to conduct this workshop. I am very grateful for the opportunity to replicate it in my country. The women with disabilities who participated were thankful to be in a space where they felt empowered, free, and uncensored, and able to be themselves and express themselves without limitations.”
Looking ahead, Pahola plans to host additional virtual trainings to educate women with disabilities about their human rights and strategies for preventing violence. She is also planning a march on November 25, 2026, where women with diverse disabilities will gather to call for the elimination of violence against women. The march will culminate in a meeting with state authorities to advocate for public murals across the city that highlight and celebrate women with disabilities, making them visible in public spaces and in the fight for justice.
The WILD-Guatemala training was a follow-on activity from WILD 2025. Read more about the impact of the WILD 2025 program.