Biography
Peace agreements signed in 1996 form the base of a comprehensive platform for socioeconomic development and democratization in Guatemala. Between 1991 and 1996, Luz Méndez participated in the peace negotiations as the only female member of the delegation of the Guatemalan National Revolutionary Unity (UNRC), contributing to the incorporation of unprecedented commitments for gender equity in the accords. In 2004, she was elected to represent the women's movement in the national commission overseeing implementation of the peace accords. Ms. Méndez coordinates broad consultations with women's groups to discuss issues of reparations - particularly organizing an advocacy campaign and recommendations regarding women's needs and specific ideas for supporting mechanisms for reparations for women. A member of the advisory council of the Global Fund for Women, Ms. Méndez has contributed to women's inclusion and leadership in conflict resolution and post-conflict reconstruction in a number of countries. In 2000, she was a member of UNIFEM's gender experts team at the Burundi peace talks. She has been a consultant at trainings with high-level Iraqi, Israeli, Palestinian, and Colombian leaders seeking a stronger voice in peace processes. She holds a masters degree in public administration from Harvard University's John F. Kennedy School of Government. (09.2008)