Executive Summary

Proyecto Matria was born in 2004 to offer housing and economic development services to women in situations of domestic violence all over Puerto Rico. It later expanded its work to include women in gender-based violence situations such as sexual violence or stalking. Matria’s programs support its participants to study, get a job or start micro-enterprises. It is the only organization in Puerto Rico that combines knowledge and actions that includes: (1) Direct service based on its own model of work centered on human rights, feminist theories, science-based practices, and an intersectional approach; (2) A work of education and citizen empowerment that allows women to find and use their voices to defend their human rights and claim equity; (3) A work of public policy and advocacy that aims to transform the social structures that cause inequality and violence against women. Matria’s housing program has helped more than 500 women to find a safe space to heal and pivot their dreams. Its economic development programs have supported more than 650 women to study, work or develop their own businesses. Its “La Ruta de las Mujeres”, was created in 2011 to empower women to understand the importance of political education and democracy, becoming the first women-led initiative to create specific proposals for the political parties in PR. In 2020, Matria created a 24/7 Helpline as a response to the COVID-19 lockdown and since then, served 5,000+ calls. Service, empowerment, advocacy, and power-building are Matria’s main action lines.

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