Promoting Women's Economic Empowerment in Paraguay and Guatemala

Guatemala, Paraguay

This project aimed at fighting poverty and reducing gender inequalities in Paraguay and Guatemala, through women's economic empowerment. Its specific objectives are to improve the socio-economic prospects and employability of disadvantaged women living in the Gran Asunción metropolitan area in Paraguay, and indigenous women from small rural communities in Guatemala. These objectives will be achieved through the delivery of vocational training courses and coaching of women would-be entrepreneurs. In Paraguay, the project will also involve the construction of a vocational training center for women. The project contributed to achieving “SDG5: Achieve gender equality and empower all women and girls” through Goal 5.5 “Ensure full and effective participation of women and equal leadership opportunities for all decision-making levels in political, economic and public life, empowering women’s access to economic resources through training”. Likewise, and following the integrated approach of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, which recognizes the interrelation of significantly increase the number of young people and adults who have the necessary skills, particularly technical and professional, to access employment, decent work and entrepreneurship” and SDG 8 Goal 8.5 “By 2030, achieve full employment and productive and decent work for all women and men, including young people and people with disabilities. 1) In Guatemala the project has the following main achievements: The Project trained 420 women and supported 159 women to consolidate their business initiatives, become producers, enter the local market with quality products and generate income to improve the standard of living of their families. Courses covered three areas: technical, entrepreneurship (business) and human values. Women were trained in the following areas: dressmaking; embroidered collars; bakery; confectionery; candles and other crafts. Dress making of regional garments; commercial bakery and confectionery; Craft and floral arrangement; jams and typical sweets; commercial articles woven in waist loom and commercial cooking. Of 420 women who participated in the training programs, there are 324 that are already selling their products in the local market, 24 participate in Ixoqi’s workshops of line productions of marmalades, breads, pastry, etc. 64 of them have joined the association of producers. The project also provided a comprehensive support by facilitating them the materials and equipment needed to start production during the classes and as soon as they finish their training program. Along the project, Ixoqi, local implimenting agency, maintained relations of mutual cooperation with NGOs that work in the area and with community/government organizations such as Cocodes (Community Development Councils) Comudes (Municipal Development councils), OMM (WMO Municipal Office for Women). 2) In the Paraguayan the project has the following main achievements: For vocational trainings of disadvantaged women, a new space (421m2) in Fernando de la Mora was built and equipped (including: 3 classrooms, secretariat, office, classroom workshop, and a multipurpose space) with good lighting and natural cooling suitable to the indications, allowing a good use for education. 4 training courses designed for young and adult women (above 14 years) on Gastronomy, Confectionery, Gastronomic Venture and Investment Project, and Life Project (including: role of women in society, access of women to the labor market). The Buenafuente school curriculum has been redesigned contain the development of empirical projects as it is the trend in the Paraguayan educational system. 300 women of 5 villages in the influence area of the new center have enrolled for vocational training once construction is completed (women from Fernando de la Mora, San Lorenzo, Villa Elisa, Nemby and San Antonio).