One year ago Maria came to the Asylum Access Ecuador office timid and unable to make eye contact with AAE staff. She came to appointments only at her father’s insistence and struggled to tell her story of gender-based violence and abuse. Through the Women’s Meetings, and in one-on-one consultations with AAE legal advocates, Maria developed tools to become her own advocate.
Not only was Maria able to find justice and healing herself—she now speaks with confidence in front of groups. In fact, Maria is now a legal advocate in her community, helping other women to seek justice and find healing.