Expo Inclusion and SQM launch new women’s initiative in Tarapacá

News

17-08-2023

Expo Inclusion and SQM launch new women’s initiative in Tarapacá

This initiative, baptized ‘Mujeres con Sentido Inclusivo’ (Women with Inclusive Sense), aspires to train and equip women 55 years of age or older who are caregivers of the elderly or people with disabilities with tools to start their own businesses.

Forty entrepreneurs from the towns of Huara, Pozo Almonte, Alto Hospicio and Iquique attended the launch of the academy led by Expo Inclusion and SQM that seeks to train these beneficiaries during August, motivating them and providing them with tools and techniques to strengthen their businesses.

The activity was led by the Regional Secretariat for the Government, Rodrigo Vargas; SQM’s Head of Community Affairs for Nueva Victoria, Carolina Guzmán; and the director of Expo Inclusión, Paola Ortega, and included a presentation about ‘Todo con Palet,’ a business by two women from Iquique who transform pallets into innovative products for the home.

“For the government it is very important to support all initiatives that promote entrepreneurship, especially for women in our region,” said the government spokesman in Tarapacá during his remarks.

SQM’s Carolina Guzmán added that “as a company we are committed to diversity and inclusion in our operations and in our communities, and we understand that we must generate new programs like this to offer greater opportunities to our neighbors.”

Paola Ortega, director of Expo Inclusion, highlighted the importance of such training spaces where caregivers, people with disabilities and women entrepreneurs can generate resources and self-employment that provide motivation, technical tools and alsonetworking opportunities. Once such occasion will take place in October at Santiago’s Mapocho Station, where a group of outstanding entrepreneurs will travel to be recognized and present their products and services.

The academy will offer 4 modules between August 7 and 29, available both online and in-person: Starting a Business, Modeling My New Business, Finance for Entrepreneurs and Marketing and Digital Strategy. These classes aim to help the beneficiaries properly develop their business ideas and ventures.

During the month of September organizers will announce the names of the women chosen to participate in Expo Inclusión’s event at Mapocho Station in Santiago, to be held on October 4 and 5.