In the heart of Salta, among hills and valleys, a story of empowerment and transformation unfolds. It is the story of Teófila, a woman who has managed to overcome obstacles and achieve her dreams with the support of Pro Mujer.
Pro Mujer landed on Argentine soil 20 years ago, choosing Salta as the ideal place to expand its geographical footprint and continue advancing towards gender equality in Latin America. The northern province welcomed with open arms the social enterprise that would change the lives of thousands of Argentinian women, one of them, Teófila Urbana.
The voices echoed throughout Salta until they reached Teófila, a craftswoman who carried the love for weaving in her veins. Together with a group of women who were looking to improve their living conditions, Teo approached Pro Mujer with the purpose of accessing her first loan. Thanks to the Community Banking methodology, which grants loans to groups of women to invest in their businesses, based on solidarity and commitment they obtained the financial boost they needed to get their businesses off the ground.
Teófila found in Pro Mujer not only the financial support she wasn’t finding elsewhere, but also a holistic and comprehensive model that brought her health and wellness services. She and her family accessed prevention of chronic diseases, early detection of cancer, family planning, health education and promotion services, which improved their quality of life and that of their loved ones.
With the support of Pro Mujer, Teo was able to fulfill her dreams and dedicate herself to what she is most passionate about. The organization provided her with the confidence and resources she needed to transform her reality. After 15 years with the organization, Teófila bid farewell to Pro Mujer with a heart full of gratitude. Her life, and that of her colleagues, had changed radically thanks to the support and opportunities they all received.
However, the twists and turns of life brought her back to Pro Mujer. On this occasion, Teo was not looking for a loan, but she had heard about Emprende Pro Mujer, an educational platform made for women seeking economic prosperity through their businesses, which has managed to impact more than 150,000 women since its launch.
On Tuesday, July 2nd, Teo attended the iconic Mercado Artesanal de Salta to take part in the first course of the semi-face-to-face model that the program began offering in the province. This initiative, driven in partnership with our strategic ally Eramet, is part of a long-term project aiming to reach more than 3,000 women entrepreneurs in the province over the course of three years.
More than 50 women began their entrepreneurial training in a space of trust, security, growth, and autonomy, which encourages each woman to become a change agent for their families and communities.
Accompanied by expert facilitators, Teo and the attending women entrepreneurs accessed educational content that was entertaining, accessible, and easy to understand, all from a gender perspective. This content incorporates essential knowledge, enabling them to acquire leadership, digital, management, personal development, finance, and sales skills.
This meeting allowed Teófila to connect with other entrepreneurs in the province, weaving networks and building extremely powerful connections for the prosperity of her business. She shared her experience and became an inspiration for other women.
At Pro Mujer, we understand the relevance of these meetings and initiatives, especially in Argentina, where 64% of the population with lower incomes is represented by women (Argentine Government). In this context, with the support of UPS, Emprende Pro Mujer has expanded its footprint to the province of Chaco, one of the most disadvantaged in the country. The joint work being done brings tools closer to these women to advance on their entrepreneurial path and improve their quality of life.
Teófila’s story is a testament to the transformation that Pro Mujer has achieved throughout Latin America. Her testimony is just one example of the more than 2.5 million women who have found the support and tools they need to reach their full potential through this organization.
