traditional medicine

Earlier this week, on March 8th, countries around the world celebrated International Women's Day, a global day recognizing the economic, political, and social achievements of women around the world past, present, and future.  Such a day turns our attention also to women's needs, which are not being met and to the inequalities being faced by women internationally, in particular women in the indigenous communities around the world.
 
Remedia works with indigenous women in Toledo, the southernmost district of Belize, which is both home to the largest indigenous population in the country, and the highest poverty rates in Belize.  Indeed, Toledo is often referred to as "the forgotten district."  Indigenous women in Toledo face particularly limited income-generating opportunities, though their daily work seems to never cease.
 
Women in the Maya communities have long been the keepers of certain areas of traditional knowledge, including medicinal plants and traditional medical treatments for women's health and home remedies for children's ailments.  These days female Maya healers are numbering very few in Belize.  The women most knowledgeable are getting late in their years, and young Maya women rarely have the opportunity to study with knowledgeable elders remaining in the community.