Many impoverished women find that a life without money means a life without a voice. According to UNESCO (United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization), adult women are significantly more likely to be illiterate; in some countries, the literacy gap is as great as 22 percent.
Yet, UN Secretary-General Ban Ki Moon highlighted the importance of women’s literacy in 2010. He noted that literate women are more engaged with the social, political and cultural life around them, are more likely to send their children to school and are able to become more self-reliant. Literacy also empowers women to express themselves.
Fortunately, we’re making sure the mothers living in poverty are heard. Working with Letra Uno, a local charity that promotes literacy, Children International hosted a workshop: Mujeres a la Voz – “Women Speaking Out.”
This event challenged 52 volunteer mothers to invest time each week reading literature and writing about their experiences.
Like many of the participants, María Mercado had never written an essay. “It was difficult at the beginning because I couldn’t find the words to describe the things I wanted,” she says. “I felt embarrassed; I was shy. But then I started to write better, and that made me feel proud.”
Over time, María and the other women strengthened their writing skills.
“Now writing is my way to express my feelings,” María explains. “When I can’t talk about something with my children, I write them a letter to know how I feel and what I think.”
The program ignited Maria’s passion for reading and writing – skills she intends to pass on to her children.
“My kids haven’t been inspired to write yet, but I have read fairy tales aloud to them, and now they are interested in reading.”
Mujeres a la Voz isn’t just about women finding their voices – it’s about making sure those voices are heard. At the workshop’s conclusion, the mothers were invited to share their essays during a two-day literacy event at a local university.
Even more impressively, Letra Uno published the women’s writing in a volume titled Mujeres a la Voz: Cincuenta Historias de Vida – Women Speaking Out: 50 Stories of Life.
Photo Credit: Sofía Orozco, Letra Uno
María was overwhelmed when she received her edition. “I’m really happy. I never thought I was going to achieve such a big goal in my life … I feel that now I can achieve all the goals I want.”
