The Oficina de la Mujer Edelma Martinez was named after a school teacher who was murdered by her husband after she reported him as an abuser. The office is run by four women who offer support and guidance to adult and teenage women in the municipality of Rio Blanco. Survivors of domestic violence are accompanied on visits to report abuse to the proper authorities, visits to the forensic clinic to be evaluated after sexual abuse, and meetings with a lawyer or social worker.

Oficina de la Mujer works to ensure longer-term stability and prevent repeated abuse by helping locate housing placements for abused women and children. As part of their services, the teams often provide support for women to start an income-generating project since many are unemployed.

Teams work with the local Police Commissioner’s Office of Women and Children’s Issues to train women to become advocates for other women experiencing abuse in 13 neighboring communities. There are currently 35 advocates in the Oficina’s network and 30 more in training.

Oficina de la Mujer delivers preventative workshops on self-esteem, leadership, human rights, citizen participation, domestic violence, and sexual health. They also run a local radio program promoting awareness and prevention of domestic violence, including raising awareness about a recent national law which has stiff penalties for violence against women.

What You Can Do

La Oficina de la Mujer hopes to train more advocates, especially in the remote areas of Rio Blanco. They dream of building a women’s shelter to better provide an option for women escaping violence. They hope to hire on a social worker and a psychologist to work on their team to better support survivors of violence in their personal recovery, as well help them obtain necessary legal support. Make a donation today of any amount to support the lifesaving services of Oficina de la Mujer.