Empowering Women in Latin America and the Caribbean

Corus International’s group of organizations has been working in Latin America and the Caribbean since the 1960s. Corus’ organization, Lutheran World Relief, promotes gender equality throughout the region through livelihood strengthening activities, focusing on women’s economic and social empowerment and disaster risk reduction and response. Corus’ impact investing activity, Ground Up Investing, also uses an equity model in Latin America to incubate mission-driven enterprises that increase incomes for small producers and increase access to opportunities for women and youth. Another Corus organization, IMA World Health, advances important women’s health work in Haiti. Together we have made a meaningful impact and played a key role in transforming women’s lives throughout the region.

Throughout their programs in Latin America, Corus organizations apply the IDEAL approach, which stands for intersectionality, delivery, equity, access, and leadership. The approach is based on Lutheran World Relief’s Gender in Agriculture: From Policy to Practice (GAPP) methodology, originally developed to prioritize the voices and needs of women in rural areas. IDEAL goes beyond the agricultural sector and recognizes how individuals’ diverse identities, including age, race, religion, geography, class, and gender, affect their access to resources and opportunities for equitable participation in decision-making processes. This comprehensive strategy is also reflected in their comprehensive technical approach to prevent, mitigate, and respond to all forms of gender-based violence. Whether it’s creating a market environment where women’s voices are respected, improving access to and quality of health care, or prioritizing the inclusion of women and marginalized groups in disaster response efforts, Corus employs the IDEAL approach to advance gender equality and social inclusion.

Additionally, Chorus women empowerment work is based on a long-standing accompaniment methodology that places individuals and organizations in the communities we serve as the primary agents of change. We engage with local experts, trainers and organizations to ensure our interventions are contextually appropriate and responsive. In prioritizing capacity building and partnerships, we understand that our role may take different forms depending on local priorities and sustainability needs. Whether acting as technical experts, coordinators or intermediaries, Chorus organizations facilitate connections between local partners, governments and the private sector, enabling communities to access knowledge, resources and networks for long-term, inclusive development.

Chorus’ work in Latin America and the Caribbean will continue to impact hundreds of thousands of women for years to come. By combining the IDEAL approach with our advocacy methodology, Chorus is working to empower women, promote equality and advance sustainable development.