F For 22 years, Jennifer Haza Gutierrez was part of the organization that defends children’s rights, Melel Xojobal C.A., based in San Cristobal de Las Casas, Chiapas. Last December, she left her position as director. In an interview, she shared her experiences, lessons learned, and her hopes with us.

Participation of girls in the 25N march, San Cristobal de Las Casas © SIPAZ

Introduction

Jennifer is originally from Mexico City, has a degree in Communication Sciences, and has diplomas in Children’s Rights and Strategic Litigation before the Inter-American Human Rights System, in Educational Participation with Street Populations, and in Bilingual Intercultural Education.

In 2002, she came to Melel Xojobal C.A. to carry out her social service in the area of ​​accompanying working children on the streets. After working on different projects, she took on the position of General Coordinator for five years and, in 2013, that of Director. During her time in the organization, she has carried out educational work in public spaces and schools, as well as advocacy work, among other things. She identifies as a feminist and a defender of human rights.

Strengthening children from a place of dignity and hope

“I don’t know of any other organization in Mexico that explicitly claims the right of children to work in dignified and safe conditions,” Jennifer tells with us, referring to the work of Melel Xojobal, which focuses on defending the rights of working children, especially those of indigenous origin. According to the organization, it is a form of income that is sometimes essential, with which they can support their families, who often have difficulty covering basic expenses. In addition, Melel Xojobal believes that “there are forms of dignified work that enrich and strengthen the development of capacities and skills of girls, boys and adolescents.”

Event for the change of coordination in Melel Xojobal, August 2024 © SIPAZ

Regarding the current situation of children, Jennifer told us: “I believe that increasingly children and adolescents have circumstances against them to be able to enjoy their rights in Chiapas and particularly the children of indigenous peoples. (…) Violence has increased in terms of frequency, but also in terms of cruelty against children. They are sometimes manifested in ways that are not so obvious, such as digital discrimination or daily exploitation, not only of children but of families. From my perspective, reality is going to be increasingly difficult for children.”

In this context, Melel Xojobal’s work aims to strengthen children against violence so that they can grow in a space of dignity and hope and, from there, be able to find their place in the world. “There is a political commitment together with the children. It is not that the organization comes to provide answers, pretending to transform reality. What is done, we do together with them.” Another important aspect is the impact on public opinion, seeking to make people understand that children have the same rights as adults and that they have the right to enjoy them. “What happens in the world, we cannot divide it between what happens to children and what happens to adults,” she said.

The voice of childhood

March against violence and inequality towards girls and adolescent women in San Cristobal de las Casas, October 2024 © SIPAZ

For Jennifer, it has been important to accompany children in order to understand complex contexts. Not only has it allowed her to understand that “to learn, you need the willingness to listen and observe,” but also that the place where we are born and our origins mark different ways of being children. She considers it key to recognize the diversity of childhoods. In this sense, Melel’s work helps children understand that they are not destined to be victims of injustice, discrimination and violence, and that their economic situation or the fact that “it has always been this way” are not reasons that justify these realities. According to Jennifer, it is important for children to know that they have the right to use their voices to denounce violations of their rights.

Jennifer also spoke to us about public actions, such as marches, as well as processes and spaces aimed at girls and adolescent women. They had an impact on her, because she thinks they are important and powerful for the transformation, not only of girls, but also of women and men in the communities.

“There were no spaces to talk about violence against women (…) To go out to marches and take public space, speak to the media and take the microphone. This energy seems very contagious and powerful to me,” she told us.

Melel Xojobal- True Light

In response to the question why Melel Xojobal bears that name, Jennifer answered: “Those who founded Melel decided to name it True Light in Tsotsil because of the light in the eyes of children. Because the children’s eyes are what provide light for the path.”

In this sense, she also shared with us what inspires her and gives her confidence and hope for a better future: “As I said, things are going to get worse and reality will continue to become more difficult, but we continue to see many people who insist that it is important to continue supporting us, to think about other presents and futures and to build what is possible in everyday life. From the children, something that I also saw more clearly (…) is that, in times of crisis (…), children are the first to express their solidarity or to worry about how others are going to be, how their brother is going to be, how their mother is, who is going to take care of them. So, I think that this expression of solidarity is a component that I don’t know if it will save us, but it is what will keep us persisting in what is possible, in building hope and cracks from where we can see justice, dignity and people’s happiness. There can also be this true light, in these small cracks that are opening and that the children themselves are opening. We accompany them, and it is also a conviction that, by doing it together with them, we also transform ourselves in this process. So, these cracks of justice, freedom and dignity are for everyone.”