Finding a voice, enhancing opportunity: Findings from a qualitative study of Guatemalan Mayan women on the intersection of social networks, economic empowerment, and reproductive health

Background: Indigenous young women in Guatemala are disproportionately affected by adolescent pregnancy and poverty. The present qualitative study explores the role which social networks play in both economic empowerment and reproductive health for this marginalized population.

Methods: Semi-structured in-depth interviews, each lasting 2-3 hours, were conducted with 19 Mayan women (ages 18-40) from Guatemala. Respondents were participants in a reproductive health education women's group that was exploring the idea of expanding its activities to include income generation. Topics addressed in the interviews included personal experience with the women's group, goals for the future, and attitudes towards reproductive health and employment. A Grounded Theory approach was employed for data analysis.

Results: Participants stated that their involvement in the women's group helped them find their voice and provided them with greater self-efficacy to express themselves in public. Respondents expressed that it was through interacting with other young women that they developed greater self confidence. They shared stories of overcoming their fear of speaking to others and ultimately feeling confident addressing respected government officials and community leaders. This confidence extended to reproductive health and economic empowerment, as women described future aspirations of planning for their family and creating fulfilling careers.

Conclusion: Findings confirm that social networks, such as women's groups, can play a positive role in addressing income inequality among Mayan women through modifications in self-efficacy. Findings provide recommendations for future health education programming focused on advancing reproductive health and economic empowerment among indigenous women throughout Latin America and elsewhere.