Expanding Access to Womens Health

At Ciruli Brothers LLC, a mango farm in Chiapas, Mexico, women connected to the workforce faced a critical hurdle. They severely lacked access to essential gynecological care. The worker-led Fair Trade Committee quickly identified this as a top priority for their community. Marleny Villalobos, the committee treasurer, clearly understood the specific barriers these women experienced every day. Many struggled with a severe shortage of specialized diagnostics and faced complicated social pressures that frequently discouraged preventive checkups. Through careful research and open dialogue, the committee successfully uncovered the root causes limiting access to vital reproductive health services. Taking decisive action, the Fair Trade Committee allocated $7,500 USD of their Community Development Funds to launch the "Gynecological Care Brigade." This targeted health initiative was designed to support 150 women over the age of 25, encompassing both dedicated farm workers and their immediate family members involved in the 2024 and 2025 harvest seasons. The comprehensive program delivered a vital package of medical services directly into the local community. Women received comprehensive gynecological exams, Pap smears, colposcopies, and ultrasounds. By organizing these specialized services locally, the project successfully removed practical travel barriers and encouraged much higher participation in preventive care. The brigade provided crucial screenings that actively support the early detection of cervical lesions and other serious health conditions. Furthermore, this initiative sparked greater health awareness and fostered a much needed openness toward routine medical visits. As Marleny explained, "The value of these screenings goes beyond one-time care: they can help normalize gynecological checkups, reduce the risk of cervical cancer, and bring about sustained changes in the health and well-being of the beneficiaries." The project reflects a decision informed by research and grounded in local experience, with the Fair Trade Committee leading an approach that responded to both immediate health needs and the broader conditions that influenced access to care.