Diverse and Inclusive Guatemala

The Diverse and Inclusive Guatemala (Guatemala, Diversa e Inclusiva) project ensures that the sexual/reproductive, legal and labor rights of the LGBT+ community and young people are met. It specifically helps adolescents in Guatemala take ownership of their human rights, exercising them with autonomy and in conditions of inclusion and equality.

Why protecting LGBT+ rights in Guatemala is important

LGBT+ and young people in Guatemala face many challenges preventing them from fully enjoying their sexual and reproductive rights (SRR), access to justice, and labor rights. The predominant patriarchal culture, combined with a volatile political context, leads to discriminatory and violent practices affecting these groups in particular.

Access to comprehensive sexuality education in the country is low: only 7 percent of adolescents had received comprehensive sexuality education (CSE) in 2017. Maternal mortality rates are high, and there is an alarming increase in teenage pregnancies and unsafe abortions. These situations are caused and aggravated by sexual and gender-based violence that affects girls, adolescents, women and sexually diverse individuals. As for LGTB+ youth, being the target of stigma, discrimination, and violence also results in expulsion or dropping out from school and exclusion from the family circle and/or work environment.

How we work towards a diverse and inclusive Guatemala

To counter this, Hivos has joined forces with eight Guatemalan civil society organizations. These include LGBT+ groups and youth-led organizations specialized in promoting and defending sexual and reproductive rights, and organizations with experience in reaching out to young people and children. We use four intervention strategies: rights empowerment (sexual, legal, labor); capacity strengthening; knowledge management, and policy advocacy.

Together we will ensure that:

  • State institutions respond effectively to the demands and needs of young LGBT+ people regarding sexual and reproductive rights and health, access to justice and job opportunities.
  • Children, adolescents and youth have proper access to comprehensive sexuality education.


Guatemala, specifically the departments of Guatemala, Quetzaltenango, Quiché and Huehuetenango.

Results so far

The program held its official launch event in November 2019.

Period and budget

November 2019 to November 2023, SEK. 32,000,000 (USD. 3,327,040)


Implemented by Hivos’ country office in Guatemala with ODASA, SOMOS, Vidas Paralelas, GAX and Visibles (targeting the sexual and reproductive rights of the LGBT+ population), OSAR and Incide Joven (targeting the sexual and reproductive rights of adolescents and young people), and FLACSO (knowledge management).


Embassy of Sweden in Guatemala