The Conmebol Convention Center in Asunción hosts this Thursday, May 21, the panel “Women Who Build: Breaking Molds, Building Realities,” as part of the 26th International Constructecnia Fair. The meeting brings together six public and private sector leaders with the goal of highlighting how female leadership transforms Paraguay's economy.
Participating in the debate are the Minister of Public Works and Communications, Claudia Centurión; the President of the Financial Development Agency (AFD), Stella Guillén; the former Minister of Tourism, Angie Duarte; the President of the Paraguayan Institute of Crafts, Andrea Vázquez; and architects Paola Moure and Violeta Pérez.
Architect Paola Moure noted that although the construction sector still shows gaps in large-scale projects, female participation is advancing at all levels, from design to technical execution. “In construction, there are tasks that require greater physical effort and are therefore usually performed by men. But there are companies that already have women on their construction teams, carrying out electrical, sanitary, or special installations, because they are more organized and detail-oriented,” she said. Moure added that architecture classrooms already have a majority of female students, reflecting a cultural change that translates into the labor market.
Former Minister Angie Duarte emphasized the weight of women in the value chain of services and international events, such as Constructecnia itself. “I have always spoken of tourism with a woman's face. Not to exclude anyone, but to recognize that women sustain a huge part of the tourism economy,” she said. Duarte warned that no destination grows without adequate infrastructure: “Paraguay has extraordinary attractions, but many need investment to become competitive tourism products.”
Women's access to the financial system has a direct impact on the development of businesses, housing, and the economy. AFD data indicates over 2,600 guarantees issued by the Guarantee Fund for Women (FOGAMU) since its launch in 2022, resulting in US$55 million in credits. President Stella Guillén explained that these tools reduce historical barriers, such as lack of credit history or informality. “Women are good payers, they fulfill their commitments and strengthen the quality of the portfolio when given the opportunity. When a woman accesses financing, she not only drives a personal or business initiative; she often strengthens an entire family, generates employment, energizes the community, and opens new opportunities,” she said.
Guillén highlighted the asset value of housing loans: “For many women, owning a home also represents a tool for autonomy. It means having an asset, strengthening their financial position, and improving their future possibilities in the financial system. For the AFD, housing is not just a line of credit; it is a gateway to stability, assets, and development for thousands of Paraguayan families.”
The institution emphasized that urban, road, and service development must be connected to the real needs of the population, prioritizing safe transportation and proximity to job opportunities. “Infrastructure should be a tool to reduce gaps, not to deepen them,” Guillén concluded.