Mano Vuelta is a nonprofit organization led by a team of Indigenous and Afro-Mexican women dedicated to advancing equity and human rights in Oaxaca, Mexico. With a mission rooted in justice and intercultural understanding, the organization works to strengthen the autonomy and leadership of Indigenous and Afro-Mexican girls, youth, and women. Mano Vuelta carries out its work through research, training, and community engagement. Since its founding in 2017, the organization has reached more than 9,000 individuals across Mexico.
Girls in Oaxaca face many challenges and barriers, including high rates of violence, with Indigenous and Afro-Mexican girls disproportionately affected. As a result, many girls often leave school early, which contributes to early marriages and unions, as well as unwanted pregnancies. In rural and marginalized communities, educational and health services are largely inaccessible, leaving girls without the tools to protect their rights and well-being.
With support from the Girls Opportunity Alliance Fund, Mano Vuelta will implement a culturally sensitive initiative to empower girls through artistic expression and rights-based education. Central to the project is a seven-day camp with workshops on a range of topics, including menstrual health, emotional well-being, and strategies to defend against sexual violence and early marriage. Additionally, Mano Vuleta will also host a local festival, Braiding Our Roots, offering artistic workshops to explore Afro-descendant identities. Finally, Mano Vuelta will host intergenerational dialogues to provide mentorship and counseling to girls who are at-risk for gender-based violence and child marriage.
This comprehensive project will reach approximately 150 girls. Mano Vuelta aims to create lasting change by fostering safe, inclusive spaces where girls can develop leadership skills, embrace their identities, and share knowledge within their communities. The organization believes that centering the voices and experiences of Indigenous and Afro-Mexican girls is key to addressing challenges in Oaxaca and building a future rooted in equality.
To learn more about Mano Vuelta, please visit the organization’s website and social media pages:
See more projects: Latin America & the Caribbean, Child Marriage, Education, Leadership & Life Skills Development