Amazon & the U.S. Department of State collaborate to Support Women Entrepreneurs and expand Educational Opportunities in Mexico

By: WE Staff | Tuesday, 10 January 2023

The U.S. Department of State's Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA) and Amazon today met at the North American Leaders Summit which has been going on this week in Mexico City. They have released a statement about a new public-private partnership in support of the Academy of Women Entrepreneurs (AWE) program. This new public-private collaboration which is being launched during the bicentennial of bilateral relations between the United States and Mexico will have a major focus on gender equity, economic competitiveness, education, and overall development.

AWE was founded by the department in 2019 and currently, it operates in more than 100 countries. AWE’s primary aim is to provide women entrepreneurs the resources, networks, and access they require to start or grow successful business operations. This year, AWE participants in southern Mexico will receive program support from Amazon which also includes access to Amazon learning goods for more than 100 women entrepreneurs and investing money in pitch capital. AWE participants from Brazil will also be supported by Amazon's contribution to the program.

Along with the contributions, the collaboration between the US Department and Amazon is also planning to expand its reach and impact of American Spaces in Mexico. The term American Spaces is a diplomatic tool for open-access learning and gathering spaces worldwide that encourages interaction between local people and the U.S. There are a total of 570 American Spaces or more located across 130 different countries.

The collaboration between the United States Department and Amazon shows the ongoing dedication to the enhancement of the viability and providing economic development opportunities for the underserved communities in southern Mexico and Brazil and also actively promotes women's leadership in the workplace, market, and community. The public-private partnership also aligns with the United States National Strategy on Gender Equity and Equality and the U.S. Strategy on Global Women's Economic Security.