Pro Mujer (main offices in New York City and La Paz, Bolivia) is a microfinance network that offers credit, access to savings accounts, healthcare and training to poor women entrepreneurs in Latin America. Since the charity was established in 1990, Pro Mujer has disbursed over $327-million in small loans to poor women to help them increase their income, develop their potential and claim their basic human rights.

In 2006, over 150,000 women (including 865,000 children and extended family members) in Argentina, Bolivia, Mexico, Nicaragua, Peru have received assistance from Pro Mujer. Typical loans are in the range of $50 to $1,500, with an average loan balance of $189 USD.

Founders Lynne Patterson and Carmen Velasco have modeled their concept after the Grameen Bank concept in Bangladesh, from whom it also received the Grameen Foundation’s 2006 Pioneer in Microfinance Award.  The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation recently granted $3.1 million to Pro Mujer.

Pro Mujer requires that all clients save a portion of their income as a buffer against emergencies and illness. Clients are also linked with affordable health care services, business development training, legal assistance, educational opportunities, vocational opportunities and financial services.

Pro Mujer also educates women about domestic violence, communication skills, women’s rights, leadership and self-esteem.

The program targets poor women who lack the education and skills to qualify for employment. Many of Pro Mujer’s clients engage in work such as food processing, shopkeeping, service provision, street vending, sewing and weaving.