Maria Teresa Zabala Barriga is a business administrator by profession, international trade manager, community manager and emerging writer and poet. Maria is the CEO of the Human Empowerment Project, a project centered and focused on providing children with emotional support to awaken their dreams.  For over 17 years, Maria has been a social activist for human rights, especially women and girls. She was the cultural manager for AfroBolivian culture and Co-Founder of the first Afro-Bolivian Saya, made up of only women who were active members of the Afro-Bolivian Community of Santa Cruz and members of the driving committee in the fight for the inclusion of Afro-Bolivian people in the autonomous states of Santa Cruz. Maria created the first collective of Afro-Bolivian women artists. Throughout the years, fighting for human rights has been her priority, based on her philosophy and three fundamental pillars: love, respect and tolerance. Maria firmly believes in building a country and a society where interculturality, diversity and the human rights of all are respected and above all where each individual is capable of contributing their capabilities, aptitudes and talents.

IVLP Impact Award Project: Afro-Bolivian Woman, Identity, Leadership and Advocacy

The project worked with 50 Afro-Bolivian and Afro-descendant women residing in Santa Cruz, Bolivia to build on their cultural identity, allow them to share with women leaders at an international level about their struggles for political influence in their countries, and remind them of their value and power as Afro-women. The women participated in a series of workshops on Afro-Bolivian history, music, and dance. Participants also learned about leadership and gained skills in political advocacy.

Maria Teresa held 6 workshops and conferences to promote the identity, leadership and political advocacy of Afro-Bolivian women. The activities incorporated history, music and dance to strengthen the participants connections to their leadership skills and identity.  

220 people participated in the in-person project activities and 180 supported the project virtually. On the workshops, Maria Teresa commented, “the attendees and listeners were able to realize that Afro-descendant processes are not indistinct in countries, we are united in the historic struggle for the recognition of the State as Afro-descendants, the inclusion of our demands, the opportunity to access public decision-making positions.”

"We need committed leaders like you in the struggle of the Afro-Bolivian people, you are a reference to follow." – Project Participant

IVLP Exchange Experience 

Maria was a participant in the IVLP Project Minority Participation in the Democratic Process, organized by the U.S. Department of State and American Councils for International Education.

U.S. Communities Visited

Washington, DC; Boston, MA; Minneapolis, MN; Albuquerque, NM; Santa Fe, NM

Country: Bolivia

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