SOSEP and Pro Mujer Partner to Support Emerging Women Entrepreneurs in Guatemala

In Guatemala and across Latin America, gender gaps remain a pressing issue. Although Guatemala has the world’s fourth highest level of female entrepreneurship (Wonder Woman Guatemala, 2022), 50% of MSMEs led by women have experienced gender-related financing restrictions (IDB, 2021).

To achieve gender equality, it is necessary to provide entrepreneurial training opportunities for women and enable the financial inclusion of people who cannot provide the guarantees required by traditional financial institutions.

To address the entrenched gender gap, on June 6, SOSEP and Pro Mujer Guatemala signed an inter-institutional collaboration agreement to join forces and support women entrepreneurs.

This partnership is part of the SOSEP program “Improving Women’s Socioeconomic Conditions,” which seeks to empower women entrepreneurs by providing training, capacity-building support, and technical assistance. 

Pro Mujer will provide strategic entrepreneurship training and offer women who are part of the program opportunities to access financing. 

Participants will have the opportunity to access tools that will allow them to improve their entrepreneurship journey and strengthen the administration and management of their businesses. In addition, Pro Mujer facilitators will implement sessions to develop their personal skills and improve their self-confidence.

In line with Pro Mujer’s holistic and comprehensive model, awareness-raising sessions on gender-based violence and sexual and reproductive health will also be provided.

SOSEP Fair – June 16-18 in Guatemala

As part of this cooperation, Pro Mujer and SOSEP held an event to promote and celebrate the work of Guatemalan women entrepreneurs.

With an opening speech from the president, the fair lasted three days and featured 122 local entrepreneurs from more than 19 departments. Sales during the three-day event totaled more than 215,000 quetzales, equivalent to approximately US$26,000.

Pro Mujer participated with a stand highlighting its entrepreneurial training opportunities, financial services, and health and well-being services.

Pro Mujer is proud to continue making an impact in the region and highlighting the importance of advancing gender equality in Guatemala.