Dilia Margarita Có Coy: “We’ve been attacked constantly for being women, for being indigenous, and for being rural.”

^{Dilia Margarity Có Coy in Panama City for the WYDE | Women’s Leadership Regional Convening. Photo: UN Women/Jose Daniel Espinosa.} 

Dilia Margarita Co Coy’s path to leadership began in the heart of Guatemala’s rural communities. “I started very young in social movements, fighting for dignity and rights,” she recalls. “There is a gap between the intent of the Peace Accords and their practical application; although the well-being of disadvantaged sectors was prioritized, the institutional tools to achieve it were not defined. Added to this is a structural vacuum: access to health was not part of the peace agenda at that historical moment.” 

^{Dilia Margarity Có Coy in Panama City for the WYDE | Women’s Leadership Regional Convening. Photo: UN Women/Jose Daniel Espinosa.} 

Her activism was rooted in defending indigenous rights. “I remember in 1992, when Guatemala was discussing ILO Convention 169 to protect indigenous peoples. I joined that movement and became involved in youth, women’s, and indigenous organizations, fighting for the recognition of our Mayan clothing.”

Over the years, Dilia combined grassroots work with academia. “I leaned toward education and now teach at two universities. But in public administration, I initially thought I wouldn’t participate because I saw how women’s participation was not recognized.”

Her decision to enter politics came after being pushed by her peers: “One day, women’s organizations said to me: ‘If you keep telling us to participate and empower ourselves, when will you put yourself forward?’”

When the government called for more women and indigenous people to join leadership roles, Dilia decided to act. “I submitted my paperwork, but it wasn’t easy. My application was rejected twice. First, because of a technicality. The second time, they didn’t even consider it so I lost hope.”

Then came an unexpected turn: “Four months later, the president called me to appoint me as governor to seek parity. For the first time in Guatemala, at the level of 22 departments, we achieved a 50/50 ratio: 11 women and 11 men. Among them, five indigenous women.”

This milestone was historic, but it came with challenges. “Most indigenous women in government come from social movements, and that gives us both an advantage but also a disadvantage. We’ve been criticized for coming from activism and ‘knowing nothing about administration.’ We’ve been attacked constantly for being women, for being indigenous, and for being rural.”

Discrimination remains pervasive. “In Guatemala, racism and gender discrimination are still strong. Added to this now is digital violence. We must keep working and resisting in decision-making spaces.”

Despite the hostility, Dilia sees her role as a responsibility to open doors for others. “Being here is not easy, but representation matters. When indigenous women lead, we bring new perspectives to governance—perspectives rooted in community, equality, and cultural identity.” Dilia also reminds how important it is to protect a bottom-up approach notably through support of networks and alliances, to ensure that women’s experiences are elevated to the political and decision-making levels.  

Her message to other women and indigenous leaders is clear: “Do not give up. The process is hard, but every step we take is changing history in Guatemala. We need more women, more indigenous voices in politics, and we need to work together, from international cooperation to grassroots organizations”.