The city has important industries for the economy and local development. Among the main sources of employment are food industry, metallurgy, construction, as well as exporting agricultural products (snow peas and blackberries), which are grown and packed for sale nationally and internationally. The rate of employment in the population of Santa Lucia Milpas Altas is 25.15%. Not all of the population has a job, and this is exacerbated by the low salaries of available work. In order to achieve the goal of gender and age equity, programs and projects must be implemented to generate new sources of employment.
In Guatemala there is a stigma that girls can only stay in the house and the men work. This becomes a greater issue when a woman’s husband leaves and she has to find a way to provide for their children. In 2014 the state of Sacatepéquez became the second state with the largest increase in official complaints regarding domestic violence. Additionally, almost 20% of all births in the state are adolescent girls, who then have the responsibility of an adult. Many times, the victim will not leave the aggressor, and women are afraid to leave and bare the entire responsibility of providing for their children. We are creating opportunities for these women to have access to vocational training in order to build independence. We are facilitating and opening spaces for women to heal their self-esteem. There is talent, they just cannot see it…yet.