Honduras - IOM has supported 360 Honduran women survivors of gender-based violence with USD 63,000 of seed capital to finance small businesses. The funding is designed to empower them and give them greater economic autonomy.

IOM and UNFPA contribute to the reduction of violence against women as part of the Central American Security Strategy (ESCA) BA1 - Prevention of Violence against Women in Central America, funded by the Governments of Finland and the Netherlands. The project operates in the eight member countries of the Central American Integration System (SICA) and directly benefits women living at risk, or who have survived, domestic violence or trafficking.

IOM Regional Director for North America, Central America and the Caribbean Marcelo Pisani commended Honduras on the progress it has made to tackle gender-based violence and said that the project was expected to help some 4,000 women with seed capital throughout the region. He also called on the private sector to join the initiative and provide technical assistance on specific issues.

IOM is working closely with a local partner - the Foundation for the Integral Development of Women and the Family (FUDEIMFA) – which manages a credit scheme that helps beneficiaries to access funding. It has also supported the project with training to develop beneficiary business plans.

Before receiving their seed capital, which is usually provided in kind and includes equipment, tools, materials and supplies, beneficiaries are also trained in financial management and accounting controls. Newly created small businesses include cafes, sewing shops and bakeries.

IOM is also helping to build the Honduran government’s capacity to respond to gender-based violence. It works closely with the Ministry of Security, the National Institute for Women (INAM) and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

It is also building capacity in El Salvador. In November, it provided El Salvador’s National Civil Police and Directorate General of Statistics and Censuses with computer equipment to strengthen the National System of Statistics, Data and Information of Violence against Women. The equipment included 34 desktops and network storage devices worth over USD 50,000.

For further information, please contact Alba Miriam Amaya at IOM El Salvador, Guatemala and Honduras. Tel. +503.25210500, Email: aamaya@iom.int