* The present document is being issued without formal editing.

Information received from Guatemala on follow-up to the concluding observations on its combined eighth and ninth periodic reports *

[Date received: 31 January 2020]

I.Introduction

1.Details of measures taken to implement recommendations 15 (a), 25 (b), 35 (b) and 41 (a). The information was collected through the Guatemalan Recommendations Monitoring System for International Human Rights Protection.

II.Follow-up information

A.Follow-up information relating to the recommendations contained in paragraph 15 (a) of the concluding observations (CEDAW/C/GTM/CO/8-9)

2.In 2016, bill No. 4977 was introduced, providing for the approval of amendments to Decree No. 114-97 of the Congress of the Republic of Guatemala, the Executive Branch Act. Its purpose is to add a fifteenth ministry to the list in article 19 and to add article 31 ter to create the Ministry of Women. The Ministry of Women would be responsible for the Presidential Secretariat for Women. In 2018, the bill was advanced for a second reading and is pending approval at a plenary meeting of the Congress of the Republic of Guatemala.

3.From 2017 to 2019, the budget allocation for the Presidential Secretariat for Women rose from Q 27,943,750 to Q 29,242,500. A total of 75 per cent of the budget was allocated to salaries (124 female and 45 male employees). A total of 89.15 per cent was implemented in 2018 and 79.66 per cent until November 2019. Of the total number of women, 64 per cent are permanent staff with statutory benefits. A total of 10 per cent of technical staff posts are financed from cooperation resources, which limits the sustainability of processes and retention of staff, most of whom are regional representatives. Sixty per cent of management positions are held by women.

4.In 2018, the Internal Organic Regulations were approved through Governmental Agreement 169-2018 and Internal Agreement DI-SEPREM-034-2018, which establishes the implementation process. An organizational restructuring study has been conducted and talks are under way with the Ministry of Public Finances to obtain the necessary funds to make it operational.

5.The Internal Organic Regulations identify macroprocesses for the creation of the institution, and link its work with public policy management, within the framework of international commitments and national regulations, in addition to the implementation of the National System for Equity between Men and Women.

6.The National System is a mechanism for political management and interdepartmental technical coordination, focused on harmonizing and structuring far-reaching actions, using conceptual and technical instruments to carry out interventions for the comprehensive development of women throughout their life cycle, with a focus on the interconnected nature of rights, through professional associations and civil society bodies, public institutions and local governments. It has four components: knowledge management, policy management, monitoring and evaluation, and institution-building.

7.Since 2016, the Presidential Secretariat for Women has updated the criteria contained in the Manual for the Use of the Gender Budgeting Classifier. In the framework of the National System, a technical support guide was prepared for the implementation of the National Policy for the Promotion and Comprehensive Development of Women and the Equal Opportunities Plan 2008-2023 in sectoral and regional public management, to advise institutions (central and regional administration), identify their responsibilities and competencies and define planning and budgeting interventions. In 2017, technical assistance was provided to 431 agencies (91 reporting to the central government and 340 to municipal governments), of which 31 and 90 respectively linked their budget structures to the Gender Budgeting Classifier. In 2018, technical assistance was provided to 438 agencies (340 reporting to municipal governments and 98 to the central government). In addition, through the Integrated Accounting System, 276 agencies that labelled their budget structures were identified (32 reporting to the central government and 244 to municipal governments). By June 2019, technical advice had been provided to 348 agencies (103 reporting to the central government and 245 to municipal governments), and 304 had linked their budget structures.

8.Efforts were made to create conceptual, technical and methodological tools to ensure the sustainability and institutional framework of public policy management, with a focus on the control of the convention-based and intersectional nature of rights. Those tools include the CEDAW follow-up strategy, guidelines for the alignment of national and international regulatory frameworks with the National Policy for the Promotion and Comprehensive Development of Women, the methodology for the preparation of strategic agendas for addressing the human rights of girls and women in the framework of the State’s obligations and international commitments, the Strategic Agenda for Women with Disabilities, the Thematic Agenda for Economic Empowerment and the Agenda for Climate Change Management, Comprehensive Risk Management and Capacity-building.

9.The implementation of the National Policy’s Monitoring and Evaluation System has various stages, including the identification, construction and validation of indicators that serve to monitor progress in policy compliance. In 2019, the IT platform and the first module of indicators were developed, and international agreements and public policy frameworks were aligned.

10.The Presidential Secretariat for Women focused on the strengthening, reactivation and creation of inter-agency coordination mechanisms, such as the Women’s Commissions of the Urban and Rural Development System through Resolution No. 02-2017, reactivation of the National Coordinating Office for the Prevention of Domestic Violence and Violence against Women, creation of the Inter‑agency Budget Roundtable for Equity between Men and Women, the Women’s Thematic Roundtable of the Specific Social Development Cabinet with guidance from the Presidential Secretariat for Women, reactivation of the Inter-agency Roundtable on Women, Peace and Security and operationalization of the National Action Plan for Resolution 1325, creation of the Intersectoral Mechanism for Follow-up to the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women and strengthening of the Consultative Council.

11.Guides, standards and plans for the operation of coordination mechanisms related to women were created and updated. They included the Guide for the Institutionalization of Gender Units, the Guide for Strengthening Municipal Directorates for Women, the proposed reform of Governmental Agreement 260-2013 creating the Gender Units, and the updating of the National Plan for the Prevention of Violence against Women 2020-2029 as an intersectoral plan to address the prevention and punishment of violence against women and support and reparation for victims, prepared in the framework of the National Coordinating Office for the Prevention of Domestic Violence and Violence against Women, with guidance from the Office of the Third Deputy Minister for the Prevention of Violence and Crime of the Ministry of the Interior and the technical leadership of the Presidential Secretariat for Women.

12.The Women’s Commissions of the Urban and Rural Development System are coordinated by the Presidential Secretariat for Women through its departmental delegations. Between 2017 and 2019, a total of 28 Women’s Commissions were active, 6 at the regional level and 22 at the departmental level. In 2018, women’s organizations elected 44 departmental representatives to the Departmental Development Council and selected regional and national representatives for the Urban and Rural Development System, with the support of the Presidential Secretariat for Women, which influences investment decisions and regional public policy.

B.Follow-up information relating to the recommendations contained in paragraph 25 (b) of the concluding observations

13.The Femicide Division of the Public Prosecution Service collected more than 800 witness statements, 600 expert opinions, security camera recordings and reports to follow-up on case No. MP020-2017-881, as evidence to be used in the criminal prosecution of eight individuals who worked for the agencies responsible for the protection of the girls and adolescents who had died or been injured. The follow-up was divided into three stages. The first declaration hearing of the third stage has not yet been completed, and an indictment has yet to be issued against four accused individuals.

14.The Office of the Public Attorney for Children and Adolescents initiated a procedure for protective measures for children and adolescents with disabilities from the Virgen de la Asunción Safe Home. Pursuant to case No. 01174-2017-00841 of the Court of First Instance for Children and Adolescents of the Metropolitan Area, the Social Welfare Secretariat was ordered to develop profiles reflecting the needs of children and adolescents, and four centres with the corresponding profiles were opened. The National Adoption Council participates in the hearings on protective measures for children and adolescents with disabilities who were transferred to the Alida España Special Education Centre in Arana before the tragedy occurred at the Virgen de la Asunción Safe Home tragedy. The Office of the Counsel General of the Nation has a Unit for the Protection of the Rights of Women, the Elderly and Persons with Disabilities, which provides follow-up on the cases of children and adolescents who lived at the Virgen de la Asunción Safe Home and who came of age during their reintegration or relocation. It is currently following up on 30 cases, with fact-finding activities in seven cases.

15.The Presidential Commission for the Coordination of Human Rights Policy (the Presidential Human Rights Commission) created a unit for the care of children placed in the Virgen de la Asunción Safe Home and other shelters, as follow-up to the Inter‑American Court of Human Rights Precautionary Measures 958-16. The Directorate of Defenders made monitoring visits to special protection residences in order to assess the condition of the facilities and the care given to children and adolescents. In coordination with the Social Welfare Secretariat, inter-agency meetings were held in 2019 with the participation of the Office of the Counsel General of the Nation, the Ministry of Social Development, the Ministry of Education, the Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, the Congress of the Republic of Guatemala, the Human Rights Advocate and the organizations Refugio de la Niñez and Fundación Alianza. The aim is to work on a follow-up strategy for the transition from adolescence to adulthood for 15 survivors from the Virgen de la Asunción Safe Home.

16.Through Roosevelt Hospital, the Ministry of Health and Social Welfare provided care for seven girls and adolescents in the children’s burn unit who were discharged or transferred to complete their treatment in another department. In one case the patient was transferred to a hospital in the United States of America. In addition, several were treated by the Department of Mental Health. Fifteen girls and adolescents were cared for at the San Juan de Dios Hospital. Five were sent to hospitals in the United States, and 11 died.

17.The Social Welfare Secretariat established, through Agreement No. DS 349-2018, the “Lifetime Pension” Unit of the Office of the Under-Secretary for the Protection and Care of Children and Adolescents, with the aim of providing cash grants to ensure that girls and adolescents can meet their basic needs. It provides institutional follow-up for girls and adolescents who have received a lifetime pension to support a transformative and productive life plan. Through the Expert Committee on Women, a matrix was prepared containing a catalogue of government programmes and services through which agencies can offer or coordinate services to meet the needs of the surviving girls and adolescents.

18.The Ministry of the Interior, through the General Directorate of the National Civil Police, in 2018 approved the Protocol for Police Action in Criminal Investigations Involving Child and Adolescent Abuse Victims and in 2019 the Protocol for Police Action, the Operational Protocol in Criminal Investigations of Crimes of Sexual Violence and the Protocol for the Coordination of Operational Investigations of Crimes against Life. The Protocol for Police Action in Criminal Investigations of Trafficking in Persons is being drawn up and criminal investigations are being coordinated with the Public Prosecution Service.

19.From 8 March 2017 to June 2019, 656 Alba-Keneth alerts were activated after the disappearance of children or adolescents aged from 10 to 17 years from temporary homes (545 male, 110 female and 1 LGBTQI young person). Five hundred of those cases have been deactivated to date. In response to cases of relocated children and adolescents leaving without permission, orders were given for two other residences to be prepared (case No. 01174-2018-00331 of the First Judge of the Court of First Instance for Children and Adolescents of the Metropolitan Area). The Alba-Keneth Alert System Operational Unit of the Office of the Counsel General of the Nation submitted a report to the Office of the Counsel for Human Rights and a list of cases for follow-up to the Office of the Prosecutor for Child and Adolescent Affairs of the Public Prosecution Service, in order to carry out the related investigations (case No. ORDGUA 9111-2019/DE, conducted by the Specific Rights Unit).

20.In cases of children from the Virgen de la Asunción Safe Home who were returned to their families, from 2017 to June 2019 the Counsel General of the Nation and the Social Welfare Secretariat prepared 296 protection plans (115 metropolitan and 181 departmental) to support the children’s integration into their family and community environment. The Office of the Counsel General of the Nation has arranged 700 home visits and coordinated with more than 200 institutions to strengthen referral networks that focus on the needs of children and adolescents.

21.In 2017, the Congress of the Republic of Guatemala issued resolution No. 001-2017, condemning past events and ordering the Public Prosecution Service and Office of the Counsel for Human Rights to investigate immediately and determine responsibilities. A Congressional Commission of Inquiry was formed to investigate and to call on the authorities to elucidate the facts. By Decree No. 6-2018, 8 March 2017 was declared the National Day for the Victims of the Tragedy that Occurred in the Virgen de la Asunción Safe Home and a lifetime pension was approved for survivors, amounting to Q 5,000 during the 3 years that the law will remain in effect and then, starting from the fourth year, an amount equivalent to a minimum monthly wage.

22.In compliance with Decree No. 16-2018, the Ministry of Social Development is taking administrative steps and conducting socioeconomic profile studies in order to gradually include 10 survivors of the tragedy in social programmes. Currently, two survivors are benefitting from the “Social Food Bank” programme.

23.The Virgen de la Asunción Safe Home was closed in April 2017, pursuant to complaint No. 01174-2016-1379 filed by the Office of the Advocate for Children and Adolescents of the Counsel General of the Nation. The measures being implemented include ongoing investigations and a programme of deinstitutionalisation. The Social Welfare Secretariat, through the Directorate of Special Residential Protection-Virgen de la Asunción Safe Home, designed a residential care model and prepared programmes, care plans and profiling tools to minimize and avoid the mixing of profiles of children and adolescents and improve compliance with international standards. Profiles were created for mild and moderate disability, substance use, risky behaviours, good treatment, and progressive autonomy. Specialized personnel were hired, including occupational therapists, speech therapists, special educators, psychologists and social workers). The Directorate has 16 residential units and has created units to support progressive autonomy in children and adolescents approaching adulthood. It prepared a document on indicators for the detection of and protection against child abuse in conjunction with the National Commission against Child Abuse.

24.The National Adoption Council has carried out inspection visits to temporary homes administered by the Social Welfare Secretariat. Between June 2017 and September 2019, 851 visits were carried out. Of those visits, 27.5 per cent were to the Virgen de la Asunción Safe Home (40 inspections in 2017, 119 in 2018 and 75 by September of 2019). In addition, the National Adoption Council, the Office of the Counsel General of the Nation and the Social Welfare Secretariat are conducting monthly inter-agency follow-up in the cases of children and adolescents who lived at the Virgen de la Asunción Safe Home (600 young residents at the Virgen de la Asunción Safe Home and 38 in private shelters).

25.In 2019, a census of children and adolescents residing in public and private institutions was carried out to serve as the basis for implementation of the pilot plan to deinstitutionalize children and adolescents nationwide. This took place with the participation of the National Adoption Council, the Counsel General of the Nation, the Social Welfare Secretariat and the court system, and with the intervention of community networks such as those of the Ministry of Public Health and Social Welfare, the Ministry of Education, the Ministry of Labour, municipal government, non-governmental organizations and civil society organizations. Eight expert committees were established to provide services, without hearings, to children and adolescents, including those with disabilities, lacking a birth certificate or with a family agreement, and those have been institutionalized for more than two years, for various reasons, including migrants. In addition, the National Adoption Council, the United Nations Children’s Fund and the Fundación Sobrevivientes (Survivors Foundation) are implementing a pilot project in Chimaltenango involving three protection homes and shelters aimed at systematizing and implementing a procedure for the deinstitutionalization of children and adolescents housed under the protection system.

26.The Ministry of Education invited professionals to form an expert committee on child protection, to coordinate actions and restore the right to education of the children and adolescents from the Virgen de la Asunción Safe Home (Circular No. DIGECOR-94-2017). The Ministry of Education and the National Adoption Council, in conjunction with private homes and the Social Welfare Secretariat, sought to address the needs of children and adolescents in the education system. In 2018, there were 94 young people registered in the system (36 female, 58 male) and 5 formerly registered (3 male, 2 female), 183 not registered (84 female, 99 male), and 172 without an identification number (58 female and 114 male). The 26 Departmental Directorates of Education were instructed to facilitate the registration of children and adolescents with protective measures in formal and informal school subsystems, in accordance with the 2016-2020 Strategic Plan (DIGECOR-556-2017 and DS-260-2019).

27.The Office for the Coordination of Legal Assistance for Victims, which is part of the Criminal Public Defence Institute, provided support in the form of psychological therapies (3,011 sessions in 2017, 3,655 in 2018 and 4,011 by August of 2019), training activities, schools for parents, location of family resources to avoid sending children and adolescents to shelters and measures to assess the family environment. It created a computer-based platform for the follow-up of criminal proceedings, compliance with deadlines, prison visits, multidisciplinary strategies and the policy for gender equality and interculturalism (Agreement No. 5-2017).

28.The National Institute of Forensic Science incorporated pro-victim and pro‑gender protocols for the care of women and children and adolescents in clinical, psychological and post-mortem cases. It included procedural guidance, the diagnosis of torture, cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment, including in manuals, and the Istanbul and Minnesota Protocols. In addition, a special medical and psychological clinic for the care of children and adolescents has been included as part of the Comprehensive Care Model for Children and Adolescents.

C.Follow-up information relating to the recommendations contained in paragraph 35 (b) of the concluding observations

29.In 2016, the Congress of the Republic of Guatemala issued bill No. 4981, which provides for the adoption of the International Labour Organization (ILO) Convention No. 189 concerning decent work for domestic workers. It was given a favourable report by the Labour Commission in 2016 and is currently undergoing a second reading. It is pending inclusion in the legislative agenda for approval.

30.The National Office for Women’s Affairs of the Ministry of Labour supported the Association of Women Domestic, Home-based and Maquila Industry Workers and the Union of Domestic, Similar and Self-employed Women Workers of Guatemala in lobbying the Congress of the Republic of Guatemala. Since 2011, the National Office has worked towards adoption of the bill, for instance by supporting the efforts of Civil Society Organizations to submit the Convention to the Congress of the Republic of Guatemala, conducting tripartite consultations (National Women’s Bureau, unions and employers) for a review and analysis of legislation and case law and carrying out a consultation of various sectors for legal harmonization of the Convention. Beginning in 2016, the aforementioned Association and Union, in coordination with State agencies and the United Nations Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women (UN-Women), have conducted round tables on the adoption of bill No. 4981.

31.Between 2017 and 2019, the National Women’s Bureau conducted the “Yes to ILO Convention 189, for the dignity of our labour rights” campaign to support initiatives by the public and private sectors and by civil society organizations. Three meetings were held of the inter-agency committee comprising representatives of the Association, the Union, the General Labour Inspectorate, the Directorate for Development of the Legal System, the Working Women’s Section and the National Women’s Bureau. They produced guidelines and directives for the implementation of Convention 189, if ratified by the Congress of the Republic of Guatemala.

32.Together with the Association, the Union and various agencies, the Presidential Secretariat for Women promoted a campaign to raise awareness of the Convention and prepared promotional material to ensure understanding of its contents. In cooperation with the International Labour Organization, a coordinated programme of work has been formulated with public institutions and civil society organizations for the implementation of measures benefiting domestic workers.

33.According to the Ministry of Labour, wages for domestic work are in the category of “non-agricultural activities” (Governmental Agreement No. 537-2013). In 2017, the daily wage was set at Q 86.90, with the monthly wage at Q 2,643.21. In 2018, there was an increase of Q 3.26, raising the daily wage to Q 90.16 and the monthly wage to Q 2,742.37. In addition, there was a payment of an “incentive bonus” of Q 250.00, making a total of Q 2992.37 a month. The calculation of the daily wage is based on an assumed total number of days worked during a year for the set minimum amount for a day’s labour, which is Q 90.16, spread over the 12 months. This introduces a disparity between the monthly wage and the daily wage of persons who do not have an employment contract of approximately Q 1.25 a day. Together with the “incentive bonus”, this makes a total income difference of Q 287.50 between workers in non-agricultural activities who receive a daily wage and those who receive a monthly wage.

34.According to the National Employment and Income Survey, 328,285 women (94 per cent) and 15,441 men work in domestic employment in private homes. Of the women, 31 per cent are indigenous; 80 per cent have no access to employment benefits; only 2 per cent have access to social security; 86.7 per cent are older persons; and 13.3 per cent are minors.

35.With regard to social security, the Guatemalan Social Security Institute has a policy on maternity benefits for women domestic workers (Agreement No. 1235, adopted by Governmental Agreement No. 236-2009). This policy covers the Programme of Protection for Women Employees of Private Households, which provides service and cash benefits to cover accidents and maternity, and also well-baby check-ups with paediatric coverage up to the age of 5 years. The Programme came into effect in September 2009 and has 342 registered women workers. A total of 11 were registered in 2018 and 18 in 2019. It is funded on a tripartite basis (2.529 per cent by the employer, 2.529 per cent by the State and 1.2645 per cent by the worker) and at present there is coverage for the Department of Guatemala.

36.In its 2018-2022 Strategic Institutional Plan, the Guatemalan Social Security Institute proposes to expand the coverage and quality of services by taking action to promote the culture of social security among the population, so that people are aware of the services offered by social security and how to obtain them.

D.Follow-up information relating to the recommendations contained in paragraph 41 (a) of the concluding observations

37.Three bills have been submitted to the Congress of the Republic of Guatemala aimed at strengthening women’s participation. (1) In 2017, bill No. 5398 provides for the adoption of a national day of recognition and affirmative action for Garifuna women and women of African descent. The proposal is to establish a council to promote the participation and development of Garifuna women. In 2018, it received a favourable report from the Culture Committee and is awaiting the plenary reading. (2) In 2018, bill No. 5452 was submitted, providing for adoption of a law on economic development for women aimed at promoting development for rural indigenous women who are in a vulnerable socioeconomic situation. In 2019, it received a favourable report, with amendments, from the Committee on Women and the report of the Public Finance and Currency Committee is pending. (3) In 2019, bill No. 5524 was submitted, seeking to approve reforms to the Act organizing the legislative branch in order to recognize the Forum of Women Deputies of the Congress of the Republic of Guatemala, aimed at implementing joint programmes and activities for gender equity. In 2019, the Technical Support Committee of the Congress of the Republic of Guatemala issued a favourable report and a plenary hearing is pending prior to adoption.

38.According to National Urban and Rural Development Council Resolution No. 03 2018, 10 national development priorities and their goals have been identified since 2017, thanks to the linkage of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the K’atun: Guatemala 2032 National Development Plan. Under the poverty reduction and social protection priority, the Plan addresses a high incidence of poverty and inequality among the indigenous population, women and persons with disabilities. Its strategic goal is to promote the social, economic and political inclusion of those groups.

39.The Ministry of Labour formulated a 2017-2032 National Policy on Decent Employment to ensure sustained, inclusive and sustainable economic growth. Consultative dialogues were held with various sectors, including the Women’s Sectoral Dialogue with the participation of representatives of various State agencies and civil society organizations.

40.Through Resolution No. 40-2018, the Land Fund approved the Operational Manual for a policy to facilitate access to and ownership of land and other productive assets by Maya, Garifuna, Xinka and mestizo peasant women, which sets out the conceptual framework, methodological guidelines and technical tools for staff capacity-building and the empowerment of rural women.

41.The Presidential Secretariat for Women prepared a Strategic Agenda for the Economic Empowerment of Women, which develops guidelines to be integrated into the institutional planning and budget formulation processes that apply the provisions under Areas 1 and 9 of the National Policy for the Advancement and Comprehensive Development of Women, thereby implementing the Policy at the territorial level. It is linked to the Central American Integration System regional agenda for the economic empowerment of rural women and includes activities to ensure access to credit and marketing. There is coordination with the municipalities that promote specific policy tools for the comprehensive development of women and with people who work with Municipal Training and Education Centres.

42.The Municipality of Guatemala City established a 2018-2027 policy and municipal plan for the comprehensive development of women throughout their life cycle, one component of which (boosting the economic autonomy of women) promotes competitive job training, partnership culture and autonomy.

43.The Expert Committee on Rural Development with a Gender Perspective was institutionalized through a Letter of Understanding signed by thirteen institutions, to strengthen inter-agency and intersectoral coordination through joint actions. An economic development pilot plan was implemented on farms in the municipalities of Panzós and Senahú in the Alta Verapaz Department.

44.In 2018, the Office for the Defence of Indigenous Women updated the profiles of Maya, Garifuna and Xinka women, to highlight inequalities and gaps in human development. In 2019, with technical assistance from the Presidential Secretariat for Women, the Presidential Commission on Discrimination and Racism against Indigenous Peoples began a process of updating the Agenda for Garifuna and Guatemalan Women of African Descent in Guatemala and carried out validation activities in the municipalities of Livingston, Puerto Barrios, Morales and Baja Verapaz. The Agenda is designed to incorporate descriptive, comparative and analytical issues related to the National Policy for the Advancement and Comprehensive Development of Women and includes important elements of the Coordinated Agenda for Maya, Garifuna and Xinka Women.

45.Through its Gender Unit, the Ministry of Economic Affairs established a plan to economically empower the Garifuna and Afrodescendent population; provide training in business, the environment and the use of natural resources; and organize exhibitions for sales in national and international markets, with Maya and Xinka populations. The economic empowerment route, which was designed for women living in poverty and extreme poverty, was tested with the cooperation of women from Alta Verapaz, Quetzaltenango, Totonicapán Jutiapa, Jalapa and Santa Rosa.

46.The Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and Food, through its Special Unit for the Implementation of Gender Equity, implemented the 2014-2023 Institutional Policy for Gender Equality and the Family Farming Programme for the Strengthening of the Peasant Economy. It reported that 71 per cent of women participated in productive and entrepreneurial activities. It institutionalized a programmatic and budgetary activity to train women and provide technical assistance for the implementation of good household practices and the use of agricultural products. It benefited 373,746 women between 2017 and 2019 and spent Q 137,575 million, with an increase of 27 per cent from 2017 to 2019 (Q 45,819 to Q 63,166 million as at September 2019).

47.From 2016 to 2019, the Ministry of Social Development launched conditional cash transfers for pregnant adolescents or victims of sexual violence, children under 14 years and young women, so that they could complete their higher education. It benefited 21,817 women (11,722 Maya, 29 Xinka and 32 Garifuna). It provided care to 91,087 women living in poverty or extreme poverty (257 Xinka, 90,819 Maya and 11 Garifuna). It benefited older women artisans in rural areas (21,817), of whom 11,722 were Maya, 29 Xinka and 32 Garifuna women. It established programmes to facilitate the entry into the labour market through temporary contracts for adolescents and young people living in poverty and extreme poverty (634 beneficiaries).

48.The First Lady’s Social Work Secretariat conducted activities for rural women living in poverty and extreme poverty through technical training and support for enterprises, with 204,699 women beneficiaries, 12,362 productive units, 129,172 training activities and 924 revenue-generating marketing events.

49.The Guatemalan Fund for Indigenous Development supported the establishment of technology centres to eradicate discrimination in access to information and communication technologies by providing furniture and computers to 79 schools in rural indigenous communities, benefiting 7,708 girls (93 per cent).

50.In 2018, the Office for the Defence of Indigenous Women conducted regional activities to strengthen the economic autonomy of women survivors of violence through occupational therapy workshops and handicraft activities with Maya, Garifuna and Xinka women (140 beneficiaries).