Since the onset of the 2018 crisis in Nicaragua, thousands of women have lost their formal jobs. Left with few options, a large majority of them have had to start small business efforts to continue providing for their families. At Voces Vitales, we know a small entrepreneur stands a much better chance at succeeding when she is able to access training, mentorship and a supportive network. We want to guarantee that in the midst of this crisis, women and girls can access opportunities to thrive.
Over the last 15 months more than 70,000 women have lost their formal jobs. A large majority of them have had no other choice but to start small business efforts to continue providing for their families. With little to no experience and a fragile national economy, the chances for their initiatives to succeed without proper training and mentorship are slim.
Our organization provides access to business training, mentorship and a supportive network to early stage women entrepreneurs and girls. Beyond business training, we invest in women's and girls' leadership development and encourage a pay it forward model within the network to increase our impact through a ripple effect.
Experience tells us that when we invest in one woman with high leadership potential for an extended period of time, she is able to lift herself, her business, her family and beyond that, her extended community creating a much needed multiplier effect around her. Throughout 2020, our organization will equip 300 women and girls with key business and leadership skills and continue to build a supportive network.
