Empowering Women in Oaxaca
Learn about our women's business education initiatives.
Empowering Women in Oaxaca
Learn about our women's business education initiatives.
Empowering Women in Business
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About Us
Fémina Oaxaca – Centro de Oportunidades (fémina stands for woman in Spanish) is the first institution of the state of Oaxaca, Mexico to serve as an exclusive business incubator for Oaxacan women, as well as a center for job opportunities, training, discussion, mutual learning,
and sorority, while offering childcare services at no cost. Additionally, and thanks to alliances already established with different actors and key partners, participants will be able to receive medical care, psychological and legal counseling at affordable rates, as this will contribute to
their general well-being.
Context
Fémina Oaxaca operates in the metropolitan area of Oaxaca City, the capital of Oaxaca state in southern Mexico. This culturally rich region, home to approximately 715,000 residents, is a hub for commerce, tourism, and education. Despite this, the city faces challenges such as a high rate of informality, with many businesses unregistered and lacking access to social protections. Women lead 50% of micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) in Oaxaca—well above the national average of 34%—mainly in the commerce sector. However, many women entrepreneurs work informally and face limited access to healthcare and legal protections. Additionally, women in Oaxaca carry a disproportionate share of unpaid care work, accounting for 48.4% of the state’s GDP in unpaid domestic labor. Fémina Oaxaca supports these women by promoting economic empowerment, formalizing businesses, and addressing care work challenges to foster sustainable growth and well-being in the community.
Mission
The primary issue this project seeks to address is the systemic barriers faced by female entrepreneurs in the metropolitan area of Oaxaca City, particularly those operating in the informal sector. A 2023 collaborative survey conducted by Fémina Oaxaca and the Secretariat of Economic Development of Oaxaca City revealed significant gaps in business management skills, limited access to financial resources including loans, and a lack of supportive networks. These challenges are compounded by the disproportionate burden of unpaid care work and limited access to sexual and reproductive health information, which collectively hinder women's economic participation and empowerment. By implementing targeted business training programs, facilitating the creation of points of sale, fostering commercial alliances among participants, promoting self-care strategies, and connecting women entrepreneurs with government institutions for professionalization and formalization, the project aims to empower women, enhance their economic independence, and contribute to the broader goal of gender equality in the region.
Monitoring & Evaluation
In conjunction with the Secretariat of Business Development of the Municipality of Oaxaca de Juárez, Fémina Oaxaca conducted a survey during the last trimester on 2023 in order to gather sociodemographic data on female entrepreneurs and business owners in this city.
The survey also had questions on business development and administration and challenges of this population in the capital of the state of Oaxaca in southern Mexico. Fémina´s goal was to incorporate these findings in their programs to better cater to female entrepreneurs´
needs and promote growth within their businesses; areas of opportunity were also made
visible.