As Policy and Member Engagement Officer for Latin America and the Caribbean, Elvira contributes to the implementation of Girls Not Brides’ strategy in the region, supporting our member organizations, raising awareness and engaging more Indigenous and youth organizations in the movement to end child, early and forced marriages and unions.
Elvira is part of the Ayuuk Indigenous Peoples from Oaxaca, Mexico. She has more than 10 years’ experience working with civil society organizations dedicated to the defence and promotion of human rights, and is an active member of several Indigenous women’s networks. Elvira has particular experience working on issues related to sexual and reproductive health and rights, prevention of violence, political participation and the collective rights of Indigenous peoples, mainly focused on women and youth. She strongly believes that to build more peaceful, inclusive and harmonious societies, girls, adolescents and youth need to be able to fully enjoy their rights and should take part in decision-making processes to ensure their voices, worldviews and proposals are included at all levels.
Elvira holds a Law degree and took part in the sixth edition of the Global Leadership School of Indigenous Women organised by the International Indigenous Women’s Forum (FIMI) and Columbia University. She speaks Ayuuk, Spanish and English.
