Venezuelan women are the focus of a new government program launched on Wednesday aimed at increasing employment and financing opportunities for female-run small business ventures in the South American country.
Under the banner Soy Mujer, or I am Woman, the program consists of 100 initiatives, including urban agriculture, textiles and footwear projects among others, that are part of the push to create jobs and offer credit for women.
According to President Nicolas Maduro, the program recognizes the key role of women in the economy and aims to ease the challenges of families, especially in poor areas, Prensa Latina reported.
A funding package of 138 million Venezuelan bolivars has been put forward to support the new program.
In the name of honoring women’s leadership, Maduro named Zulay Aguirre, mother of murdered socialist lawmaker and youth leader Robert Serra, as the coordinator to oversee the program.
Maduro stated that despite the economic challenges faced in the country, the government will continue to support Venezuelan women by promoting alternatives that help them tackle discrimination and improve their quality of life.