A Colombian government official announced the allocation of $207 million to rural women's development programs. The funds aim to improve access to credit, training, and market opportunities for women in rural areas. The initiative is part of a broader strategy to reduce gender inequality and boost economic growth in underserved regions.
The investment will support 12,000 women across 15 departments. Each participant will receive a microloan of up to $5,000, along with business training and technical assistance. The program is managed by the Ministry of Agriculture in partnership with local cooperatives and NGOs.
This initiative follows a 2022 law that mandated increased funding for rural women's economic inclusion. Previous efforts had provided $120 million in similar programs, but the new allocation marks a significant expansion. The government claims the program will create over 10,000 new jobs and increase household incomes by an average of 25% within two years.
