Tanya Fernández Batres is a lawyer with almost 15 years of experience working to defend and advance the rights of children and adolescents in Guatemala. Her work focuses on child protection, access to justice, and care reform, with particular expertise in addressing sexual violence against children. She has worked extensively within the justice system, collaborating with public prosecutors, investigators, and judges to strengthen investigation and litigation practices in cases involving children.
For nearly a decade, Tanya worked with International Justice Mission as a Specialist in Child Sexual Assault Cases, contributing to the implementation of best practices in criminal justice responses. Since 2019, she has worked as an independent consultant supporting organizations including UNICEF Guatemala, UNICEF Panama, UNICEF LACRO, Maestral International, Better Care Network, Changing the Way We Care Guatemala, and Fundación Sobrevivientes. Her work includes policy advice, programme support, and technical assistance related to children’s rights, care reform, and child labour, including advisory support to Guatemala’s Ministry of Labor. Tanya holds a degree in Legal and Social Sciences and a master’s degree in Child and Adolescent Development Management from Rafael Landívar University, where she has also served as a university lecturer. She is based in Guatemala.