GUATA. Womenpreneurs in Paraguay :
Empowering Women, Transforming Communities

​​GUATA, womenpreneur in Paraguay . 

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Guata is a word in Guaraní, one of the official languages of Paraguay and a living symbol of cultural identity and resilience. It means “to walk” or “to move forward”, and it captures the essence of personal growth—step by step, with awareness and purpose. At Coachability Foundation, we chose Guata as the heart of our work because we believe in walking alongside each woman on her unique path of transformation, honouring her pace, building confidence, and fostering community.

Walking is not just movement—it is meaningful growth.

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Across Latin America, women are driving economic and social change through entrepreneurship - yet they continue to face significant structural and cultural barriers. In Paraguay, approximately 10.9% of women were engaged in early-stage entrepreneurial activity in 2023, compared to 13.8% of men, reflecting a persistent gender gap in business ownership and leadership (Global Entrepreneurship Monitor [GEM], 2023).

 

Despite these challenges, women in Paraguay - as in much of Latin America - are increasingly launching businesses out of both necessity and opportunity, driven by a desire to generate income, contribute to their communities, and express autonomy. Importantly, women in low-income countries like Paraguay tend to start businesses at higher rates due to limited formal employment options and strong social motivations (GEM, 2023).

 

Recognising this momentum, Coachability Foundation launched Womenpreneurs in LATAM to amplify women's voices, increase their business visibility, and connect them through robust entrepreneurial networks. Our mission is not just economic empowerment, but also confidence-building, public leadership, and social inclusion.

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The Paraguay Pilot: Microenterprise for Macro Impact

 

Our pilot initiative in Paraguay supported 220 women entrepreneurs through a transformative journey of skill-building, confidence development, and storytelling. The programme addressed the full entrepreneurial lifecycle - from idea to launch to growth - using a community-led, highly participatory model.

 

    Women learned how to:

 

• Launch and grow microenterprises in local markets

• Develop brand identity through storytelling

• Speak publicly and assertively about their work

• Collaborate, co-learn and build peer support networks

 

Each woman gained not just technical knowledge but also the confidence to speak up, take leadership roles, and be visible as changemakers in their communities.

 

A Curriculum for Voice, Vision, and Viability

 

Our training included:

 

• Entrepreneurship & microenterprise development

• Financial literacy & inclusion

• Digital marketing & visibility tools

• Strategic storytelling for entrepreneurs

• Public speaking and confidence coaching

• Train-the-Trainer programme for sustainability

 

These modules were designed not only to develop viable business models but also to empower women as public actors - helping them to own their narratives, attract customers, partners, and investors, and become leaders in their ecosystems.

 

Train-the-Trainer: Scaling Through Shared Leadership

 

A selected group of participants underwent an additional Train-the-Trainer process, becoming local facilitators and peer mentors. This model ensures long-term scalability and ownership, with women replicating the methodology in their own communities.

 

We believe women should not just receive training - they should deliver it.

 

Storytelling as Strategy: From Silence to Spotlight

 

In contexts where women's contributions are often invisible, storytelling becomes a radical act of empowerment. Through our workshops, women learned to:

 

• Frame their personal and entrepreneurial journeys

• Create content that resonates with their audience

• Differentiate their brand in saturated markets

• Speak proudly and publicly about their businesses

 

Storytelling was more than marketing - it was about reclaiming voice and writing new futures.

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​​Outcomes and Impact

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• 220 women trained in Paraguay

• Network of certified local trainers created

• Increased digital visibility for women-led businesses

• Higher public engagement and community leadership

• Strengthened sense of confidence and public voice

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The women reported:

 

• Greater confidence in their capabilities

• Improved communication and digital presence

• Stronger peer connections and support networks

• A new sense of being seen, heard, and valued

 

Join the Womenpreneurs in LATAM Movement

 

At the Coachability Foundation, we know that when one woman thrives, entire communities benefit. Our vision is to expand this model across Latin America - supporting thousands of women in fragile economies to build, lead, and inspire.

 

If you're passionate about:

 

• Women's economic empowerment

• Voice amplification and confidence-building

• Grassroots social change in fragile contexts

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• Partner with Us

• Support Our Work

• Explore More Impact Stories ​

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Bibliography

Global Entrepreneurship Monitor. (2023). GEM 2023/24 Women's Entrepreneurship Report: Reshaping economies and communities. Global Entrepreneurship Research Association.

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Thanks to Fundación Paraguayam Fundación Naho and Espais PY. 

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