Empowering Women: Art Fair in Cancún Celebrates Triumph Over Violence

Fifty women gathered at Cancún's Plaza de la República to showcase their crafts and products at the Entrepreneurial Hands Fair. Notably, half of these women have successfully overcome violent situations. The event was coordinated by Denia de Yta Bautista from the Quintana Roo Women's Institute (IQM).

"The Entrepreneurial Hands Fair is designed to bolster the economic strength of women," stated Bautista. "We have a network of 65 women, with 50 participating today. They're here to offer their products, and we also have artists." The program was initiated in response to the needs of the women supported by the IQM. Many of these women, despite escaping violence, were unable to leave their abusers due to financial dependence. Fairs like these provide not only a platform to sell their products but also a chance to gain economic independence.

In this iteration of the fair, half of the participating craftswomen have broken free from cycles of violence. The remaining participants are entrepreneurs looking to increase their household income, or are single mothers and primary breadwinners. "While the event was initially created to support these women, we haven't excluded women who are simply looking to start their own businesses. This strengthens the economy regardless of whether they've experienced violence, and allows their products to have a unique identity," added Bautista.

The fair is notable for its age diversity, with entrepreneurs ranging from 35 years old to seniors. For many, this event provides an opportunity when job prospects elsewhere are limited.

So far this year, 18 Entrepreneurial Hands Fairs have taken place, each featuring around 50 craftswomen. The aim is to host 100 events this year, surpassing last year's total of 90. Bautista emphasized the importance of these fairs in empowering women and boosting the local economy, saying, "These fairs provide a platform for entrepreneurial women to display their products and achieve economic independence."

Such initiatives not only have a positive economic impact but also represent a significant stride towards equality and women's empowerment in society.