Women's Development Bank
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Native name | Banking |
|---|---|
| Founded | 2001 |
Key people | Nora Castañeda (president) |
The Women's Development Bank (Spanish: Banco Nacional de la Mujer or Banmujer), was established in Venezuela in 2001 to remedy the political, economic, and social disadvantages faced by women. The Bank offers both financial and non-financial services to women. The first President was Nora Castañeda.
Financial services
The bank provides small, low-interest loans, known as
Non-financial services
The Women's Development Bank also offers a number of non-financial services. The bank provides administrative training for aspiring female entrepreneurs, as well as workshops on personal development, self-esteem, family planning and health. The workshops encourage dialogue within the community and stimulate a greater involvement of women in politics.
The Bank is distinct from other banks in that it does not have branch offices; rather, it consists of a network of supporters who visit 149 impoverished and over-populated areas on a weekly basis, and offer the bank's services to women who otherwise would not have access to banking services. Bank members also make house calls.
The Bank attempts to promote self-sufficiency, by minimizing the requirements to receive a loans. The bank offers direction to encourage the success of women's projects, but does not dictate how their businesses should be run. This presents a challenge to many marginalized women who are illiterate. In instances where women are illiterate or otherwise have difficulty in overseeing a business venture, a female family member or friend will oversee the project until the woman becomes literate. The Bank also directs women to
See also
- Bolivarian Revolution
- Economic policy of the Hugo Chávez government
References
External links
- "Banco de Desarrollo de la Mujer". Ministerio del Poder Popular para la Economía Comunal. n.d. Archived from the original on 24 September 2008. Retrieved June 22, 2016.
- Interview with Nora Castaneda, President of the Women’s Development Bank, In Motion magazine, April 30, 2005