Many Indigenous women in Chiapas, Mexico, support their families by creating and selling intricate textiles. Often they receive little pay and worry about others copying and using their designs without permission. To help protect their rights, a group of women artisans united to form Red de Cooperativas del Sur to safeguard cultural images as intellectual property and protect them by law.
In addition to accessing legal aid to protect their businesses, artisans can also attend business leadership trainings through K’inal Antsetik, a women weavers cooperative. The W.K. Kellogg Foundation provides funding to K’inal Antsetik to help develop Indigenous women’s business and financial skills. These new skills help generate family income while strengthening women’s self-determination and leadership.
- Movements Powered by Indigenous Women Advocate for Family and Community Health, Economic Gains
- W.K. Kellogg Foundation: Where we work