International Women’s Day is a way of recognizing the importance of women in our society. Through accompaniment, FACES works to empower the women of El Salvador, to support them as they create autonomy within their own communities. Throughout the world women are vital leaders and important pieces to working economies, their abilities to lead and listen are assets to everyone around them. Recognizing the power, worth, and irreplaceability of women is a step towards the equality that we strive for.

The women that we have the privilege of working with in the communities of El Salvador have organized and built their neighborhoods from the ground up. Their experiences during the Salvadoran Civil War required them to coordinate and strategize, this led to phenomenal leadership abilities that are still used today.

Women of Flor de Maíz learning how to screen print their own t-shirts.

By supporting projects like the Women of Torola Project and the Flor de Maíz Cooperation, FACES is able to accompany local Salvadoran women as they lead their communities and improve their quality of life. The women of Torola in Morazán, work in partnership with their sister community in Madison, Wisconsin to improve leadership skills and become the case workers and agents of change in their community. The Flor de Maíz Cooperation allows the women of Agua Blanca in Morazán, to be more autonomous; they make, bake and sell artisan goods. The Cooperation makes hand crafts and sweet breads which bring extra income into their

End Result of the Flor de Maíz 2015 women’s end of the year retreat

households. Although the income is important, Flor de Maíz allows a safe space for the women as well as a way to enhance cohesion, self-esteem, and group identity.

This year’s theme for International Women’s Day is – Be Bold For Change. The women of El Salvador face great challenges every day, yet, their daily boldness allows them to move their entire communities forward. By standing in solidarity with the women of Torola and the Flor de Maíz Cooperation, FACES can Be Bold For Change. We can continue to uplift and support the Salvadoran Mujeres to help create a more just society.