BENTONVILLE, Ark., March 10, 2011 /PRNewswire/ — The Walmart Foundation is committing more than$2.5 million in grants to projects aimed at improving the lives of women in Latin America. Through the Latin America Women’s Initiative, projects funded in six countries will help empower more than 9,000 women, building their capacity to rise out of poverty, support their families and improve their communities.

“We believe that when women achieve economic empowerment, their voices are also empowered,” saidEduardo Solorzano, President and CEO of Walmart Latinoamerica. “So not only will they be able to create more stable futures for their families, they will play transformational roles in bettering the lives of women and children across Latin America.”

This initiative is part of Walmart’s broader efforts to improve economic opportunities for women around the world. The organizations and programs receiving funding from the Walmart Foundation are:

• Pro Mujer: $300,000 will allow Pro Mujer to expand its footprint into two new regions withinArgentina, reaching more than 3,900 women with its integrated package of services, including microfinance; business and empowerment training; preventative health education and high-quality, low-cost primary healthcare.
• TechnoServe: More than $485,000 will allow TechnoServe to provide 750 Nicaraguan women the financial skills, support and networks needed to reach their full potential as business leaders.
• CHF International: Nearly $500,000 will help CHF increase the incomes of 200 vulnerable women in four Honduran municipalities by improving their business and legal skills and increasing their engagement in sustainable production value chains.
• Save the Children: More than $400,000 will allow Save the Children to work with 3,000 women in San Pedro Masahuat, El Salvador, a municipality heavily-damaged by Hurricane Ida in 2009, to improve production value chains related to poultry and local sweets.
• Aid to Artisans: Nearly $490,000 will allow Aid to Artisans to help more than 800 Wayuu women in northern Colombia increase their incomes from handicraft sales by providing business training, product design support, new market development and buyer linkages.
• Heifer International: More than $340,000 will help Heifer International provide 700 women in the Peruvian highlands with training in agricultural production, animal health management, soil management and market analysis, helping the women be better positioned to sell their final products.