Stop violence against indigenous women|Oaxaca MEX

The opportunity for women to gather is very limited — and even more so for those in what Dr. Lourdes calls the “age of eternal youth,” the stage of life near menopause.

The women of Unión Hidalgo are caregivers: of the sick, the elderly, of life itself — the ones who hold everything together. I deeply resonated with my colleague Andrea when she told me about her experience:

“It was such a beautiful workshop, very deep sessions. It’s always a challenge for women to attend this kind of experience because it brings up tears and healing. But I saw them all so happy. It was so touching that my mom brought my grandmother in her wheelchair. I could be with her during the session, and it gave us great peace to know she was there, not alone at home, with the risk of falling again.”

One of the biggest challenges for women caregivers to come together is: what happens to all that care in the meantime? Who tends to others while we take care of ourselves? Andrea added:

“Little by little, women begin to open up and share reflections — few words, but full of meaning. They talk a lot about forgiveness — forgiveness toward themselves — and about caring for their own bodies, which they have ‘neglected’ for so long. As time passed, their cell phones kept ringing. It was impressive to see that they were there, yet still navigating all those external demands. Their families asked what would happen with dinner or what time they would be home.”

“In the first part of The Secrets of Eternal Youth, we talked about the nervous and endocrine systems as the axis of life. It was very enriching because it wasn’t just an explanation — everyone participated, sharing experiences, questions, and connecting with their own bodies. In the second part, we did practical exercises. Everyone moved together in harmony, there was a sense of companionship, and it was very motivating to hear them express their commitment to continue practicing these exercises to stay healthy and full of vitality. This workshop was a valuable experience of learning and collective blossoming: when a woman cares for herself, the strength of the whole community flourishes. Eternal youth lives in the joy of caring for ourselves together.”

This is how Dr. Lourdes described her experience at the end of the workshop.

When the session ended, I looked around at the women who had attended and imagined them as little girls, searching for a place to meet and belong. I felt so happy knowing that, in the future, I will have this kind of support network. That’s what I find most beautiful about Women Mapping the Territory, the program we are building at UMPO. I hope that when I reach their age, I too can feel held and supported by other women.

The women are eager to keep learning — to feel the warmth of community care, but also to receive knowledge shared by others. Thank you for helping us create these spaces. With every awakening within a woman, a new thread is woven into a network that will be very hard to break.

Thank you for being one more hand in this web of care and support.