Gender inequality, albeit a global challenge, is most pronounced in Central American countries. In this region, women face significant restrictions on the opportunities available to them given the context of persistent vulnerability; this, however, drives them to seek new horizons in search of greater possibilities. This situation has generated a notable migratory phenomenon: women make up 53% of the total migrant population in Central America, according to data from the Central American Integration System (SICA).
In response to this alarming situation, Ficohsa Financial Group, a Honduran bank with operations in Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua, Panama, and the United States, and Pro Mujer, a social enterprise with over 34 years of experience working toward gender equality in Latin America, have joined forces with the commitment to empower women in Central America.
Both organizations will promote the development of women entrepreneurs in Honduras, Nicaragua, Guatemala, and El Salvador—epicenters of female micro-entrepreneurship, through the training platform Emprende Pro Mujer, dedicated to women seeking economic prosperity through their ventures.
Through the hybrid model of Emprende Pro Mujer, women will be able to access both face-to-face sessions conducted by facilitators responsible for providing personalized support, and digital sessions, using WhatsApp, the most accessible network for women with limited access and digital knowledge. The materials and content, built from an intersectional framework that is sensitive to specific contexts and needs, are taught in a didactic way, and sow the seed of knowledge and self-confidence that women need to empower their businesses and improve their living conditions.
“Since its launch in 2022, the hybrid model has transformed the reality of more than 3,600 women in Mexico and Central America, becoming a powerful, cutting-edge tool capable of unlocking women’s potential. Strengthening the impact of this incredible project with the help of a valuable ally like Ficohsa will undoubtedly allow Central American women to reach their full potential and become agents of change for their families and communities,” says Carmen Correa, CEO of Pro Mujer.
In 2021, Pro Mujer and Ficohsa responded to the call to action and joined Vice President Kamala Harris and the Partnership for Central America (PCA) to empower, educate, and protect women in the region. Since then, their bond has contributed to building a prosperous and egalitarian future.
