Guatemaltecas

Guatemaltecas are the feminine plural form of the demonym for women from Guatemala. In Spanish, the masculine is guatemalteco and the feminine plural guatemaltecas. The term is used to refer to Guatemalan women as a group and appears in media, literature, and everyday speech.

Guatemala is ethnically diverse, with Maya, Ladino (mestizo), Garífuna, and other communities. Guatemaltecas may come from urban centers or rural highland villages, and many indigenous women speak one of several Mayan languages in addition to Spanish. Traditional dress, including huipiles and cortes, remains a visible marker of regional identity, especially among highland communities.

Women play a central role in Guatemalan society, contributing to agriculture, crafts, education, health care, and the informal economy. Indigenous guatemaltecas have preserved rich textile and weaving traditions that vary by village and region. The country faces challenges related to gender inequality, access to education, health services, and safety, prompting governmental and civil society initiatives aimed at empowerment and protection.

Notable guatemaltecas include Rigoberta Menchú Tum, a Nobel Peace Prize laureate and human rights advocate, and other figures in literature, politics, and culture who highlight the contributions of Guatemalan women to national life.