News/Blog

Introducing Natalia Equihua

The SWRC team is growing and we are happy to introduce our new colleagues! For our second team introduction, we sat down with our new Administrator and Communications Worker - Natalia Equihua.

Originally from Mexico City, Natalia has had a variety of experiences around the world ranging from feminist activism to administrative and social media work, as well as academic research. In 2012, she joined her partner in Scotland and spent three years in Edinburgh working in administrative and communications-related roles. She then earned a master’s degree in Cultural Studies in Canada. She has volunteered for Zero Tolerance's PlayFair campaign in Edinburgh, and an organisation supporting Central American migrant women in Mexico.

Hi, Natalia! Could you tell us more about what drew you to the SWRC?

There were many aspects of SWRC that attracted me to my new role. Firstly, I felt this was a project that was working for both legal and social justice, which is something I am absolutely passionate about. I am also an avid supporter of the feminist movement and welcomed the opportunity to take this interest and knowledge forward in a professional setting. I have experience working with survivors of gender-based violence and have developed skills which I feel would benefit those accessing the service. For example, the migrant women I interviewed for my master's degree thesis and their stories also really inspired me to dedicate my life to advancing women’s rights. The SWRC embodies my own values and ethics and I feel that their work in the legal sector is helping to change the experiences of women who have suffered gender-based violence.

What does communication mean for you?

To me, communication is very much about connecting with people and creating spaces for solidarity and community. I was fortunate to grow up in the Internet age and I’ve been amazed by how women create strong connections using digital technology. As a young activist, I first saw this happen in Latin America in 2015, when women took to the streets and Twitter with the #NiUnaMenos (not one less) hashtag to protest the rampant levels of violence against women in our countries. This happened again with the #MeToo and #TimesUp movements.

With the years, social media has become a space where women have found great solidarity and, unfortunately, also high levels of abuse. My hope is that, as women, we will continue to make online and offline spaces ours to communicate our experiences and support each other.

What are you most looking forward to in working with the SWRC?

The SWRC is a relatively new project (it started 4 years ago), which means there is a lot of potential for its development and expansion. In fact, I and 5 other new colleagues will be joining the centre in the coming weeks, so we are already expanding! What I’m most excited about is to see the partners and colleagues put their minds together to see this project grow. I also very much look forward to seeing more women receiving the legal support they need – whether it is through the legal guides, helpline, advocacy or representation offered by SWRC.