Four out of five Indigenous women live in poverty. They are three times more likely to live in extreme poverty than non-Indigenous women. The life expectancy for Indigenous women is 13 years less than non-Indigenous women's, and maternal mortality for Indigenous women is twice as high in Guatemala as for non-Indigenous women. This elevated maternal mortality is linked to higher malnutrition, lack of prenatal care and access to health services.

Collective action can be a powerful part of shifting deep inequalities and advancing women's rights. However, the structural racism that Indigenous women and their families face translates into huge roadblocks to their progressive organizing work.

Poverty, violence, discrimination and limited formal education make it much more difficult for Indigenous women's organizations and community groups to do strategic planning, fundraise and monitor the progress of their programs and campaigns. On top of this, available funding is often short-term, unreliable, insufficient and geared towards specific projects rather than the necessary work of strengthening organizational capacity, leadership and collective organizing.

The Women's Voice and Leadership Program is a worldwide initiative by Global Affairs Canada to support local and regional women’s organizations and movements seeking to empower women and girls, advance the protection of women's and girls' rights and achieve gender equality.