In Guatemala, the advancement of sexual and reproductive health and rights faces a complex combination of structural, cultural, political, and financial barriers. From organizations led by youth and Indigenous peoples to trans collectives and feminist groups, activists across the country are working to expand access, dignity, and autonomy around sexual and reproductive health.

One of the main obstacles in the country is the lack of political will. Flor de María Peña Juárez is the director of Asociación MuJER, a feminist organization that works with and for sex workers, migrant women, and women survivors of gender-based violence. Drawing from her experience, she highlights how this lack of will is reflected in the constant obstruction by conservative sectors: “There are conservative groups that do not allow precise solutions to be developed for the barriers to accessing family planning services, especially for adolescents and youth.” The resistance to implementing effective public policies—such as Comprehensive Sexuality Education—perpetuates misinformation and stigmas around sexuality and reproductive rights.

Alex Rodrigo Castillo Hernández, a trans man and coordinator of the Trans-Formación trans men's collective, warns of the impact of a hostile political climate, pointing to the existence of “three legislative initiatives that completely violate [human rights] and that the world needs to know about, so that they never become law.” He refers to initiatives 5272, 5940, and 6453, which aim to restrict access to sexuality education, delegitimize trans identities, and limit the exercise of reproductive rights. He also emphasizes that systems and policies continue to erase diversity: “In the case of trans men, the topic [of family planning, and] many other issues related to our sexual and reproductive rights aren't even discussed.” Although in 2015 the Ministry of Health and Social Assistance approved a Comprehensive and Differentiated Health Strategy for trans people—developed with his participation—it has yet to be implemented due to lack of state will.

Andrea Lourdes López Veliz, from Fundación Oxlajuj N’oj, a nonprofit organization that promotes gender-focused projects and sustainable empowerment for rural youth and women through educational programs, research, and professional training, emphasizes that Indigenous, rural, and young women face “greater barriers to accessing SRHR services due to geographic, economic, linguistic, and sociocultural reasons.” This intersectional lens has been central to her organization’s work, which has developed culturally relevant educational methodologies led by youth. For her, the global lesson is clear: “Youth are not only beneficiaries; they are also researchers, analysts, and policy-makers.”

Nancy Yomira Roblero Pérez, founder and director of AXC ONG, a feminist, community-based, and cross-border organization that promotes human rights, gender equity, youth leadership, and sports as tools for social transformation, denounces how taboos around menstruation still mark the beginning of a chain of violence for many rural girls. “The onset of menstruation is interpreted as a sign that a girl is already a woman, which opens the door to early unions, forced marriages, and child pregnancies.” These deeply rooted practices reinforce the feminization of poverty and school exclusion.

In the face of these challenges, the interviewees agree on the urgency of building sustainable, territory-based strategies. They emphasize the importance of creating safe, empathetic, and inclusive community support networks, as well as incorporating innovative tools such as community radio, urban art, and podcasts in Mayan languages. They also highlight the value of exchanging knowledge and good practices among peer organizations. In a context of reduced international funding, it becomes crucial to promote advocacy campaigns that hold the State accountable for upholding sexual and reproductive rights, while also diversifying funding sources. All agree that the approach must be comprehensive, community-rooted, and culturally relevant.

The case of Guatemala shows that even in restrictive environments, organized resistance can lead to meaningful transformation. As Andrea says, “the defense of sexual and reproductive rights requires political courage, but also organization and collective tenderness.”