Women Leading Women

By: Sr. Katty Huanuco, CCVI

When we think of the many challenges and the violence that women face (according to the Ministry of Women in Peru, between 2009 and June 2016 there have been a total of 812 femicides), and that they represent 50% of the total population according to figures from INEI, we must also remember that the gap between men and women in health, education, economic opportunities and global political representation remains 4% over the past 10 years, according to the global Gender Gap Report from the 2015 World Economic Forum. In economic terms, this means that women are still not making today the amount earned by men in 2006 (the year in which the report was first published).

Faced with this reality, hundreds of women and men are making a new path and working for change. For example, on August 13 thousands of people courageously took to the streets in Peru to demand respect, an end to the silence against femicide and end to abuses against women. In short it was an extraordinary event. But there are other actions and wonderful experiences that have been going on for many years that mobilize and create the great changes urgently needed today.

If I think of the work of women, by women, and towards women in Peru, what immediately comes to mind is Pushaq Warmi, an organization created in 2012 in Chimbote.  So, we reached out to talk with them and they quickly replied with great kindness, “Yes!”  Therefore, we share with you these lines reflecting the work of our friends from Pushaq Warmi who are undoubtedly sowing seeds of justice, peace and care for creation.

Office of Justice, Peace and the Integrity of Creation (JPIC): How did Pushaq Warmi start?

Pushaq Warmi (PW): Pushaq Warmi was born out of a group of women from different grassroots organizations of the Province of Santa and its districts. We exercised leadership in our communities without being prepared to serve as leaders, which is why the Casa de la Mujer (house of women) called women from these organizations such as: groups providing glasses of milk, soup kitchens, mothers' clubs, neighborhood directives, among others; in order to improve our knowledge and exercise leadership properly.

There were three years of preparation in the school of women leaders called 'Betty Carol Bonner'.  We graduated 30 women. From that group, 15 women met to form an 'association of women leaders' in order to share our knowledge with other women of other organizations at local and regional levels.

After a time we decided unanimously to legally establish ourselves before the Public Registry under the name of 'ASSOCIATION OF WOMEN PUSHAQ WARMI'. That means ‘women who guide women.’  Our mission is to bring development and improve the welfare of women by strengthening their organizational and leadership skills.

JPIC: What actions are currently underway?

PW: Our first focus is the Radio Program with issues involving women, on Sundays from 9 am to 10 am on Radio Santo Domingo. A second focus is the local and regional Training Program with different topics requested by the communities we visit. And a third focus is the Productive Project which involves the development of arts and crafts with designs from our local area, both regional and national, developed by us, the women of PUSHAQ WARMI.

JPIC: What are your dreams for the future?

PW: We dream of achieving social justice for women, strengthening them in knowledge and skills. We see one another grow and develop each day as a group and also personally.

In the future we would like to share what we do, and learn more about the work experience of organized women by visiting other countries.

JPIC: How does our Congregation, the Sisters of Charity of the Incarnate Word, relate to the group of women Pushaq Warmi?

PW: We are deeply linked to all of the people who are part of the family of the Sisters of Charity of the Incarnate Word, but especially with the team from Women’s Global Connection, through the unconditional support that they provide through the Incarnate Word lay missionaries who accompany our group and also with the training they bring us from competent professionals in subjects according to our areas of focus. We feel blessed and grateful for the support they give us.

JPIC: Any final words ...

PW: Thank you for considering us.  We hope to meet more in order to further strengthen the bonds of fraternity, friendship, love and work that we do with Women’s Global Connection, and you, our Sisters of Charity of the Incarnate Word. Thank you very much, God bless you.

          

Upon completion of this interview, I remain immensely grateful to these women. Their struggles, dreams, efforts and creativity makes hope tangible. How wonderful to get to know them better! What a great job they do! Thanks Pushaq Warmi.

Thanks to our congregational ministry 'Women’s Global Connection' for promoting the learning and leadership of women both locally and globally. Thanks for supporting the women in Peru. And thanks also to our Incarnate Word lay missionaries who have accompanied and continue to accompany this beautiful group of women leaders. Thanks Kelly Nelson, Kyle Seymour, Ada Garza, Niki Varnicar, Juan Piña and Ana Mora for sharing our charism and mission with them.