MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

Ivanka Trump in Paraguay commits funds for women empowerment

Ivanka Trump said financial commitments to the Women's Prosperity and World Development Initiative would be doubled with “an additional US$ 500 million”

Ivanka Trump met with Paraguayan President Mario Abdo Benítez and female artisans on Friday as part of her tour of South America, announcing the commitment of an additional US$ 500 million for a fund to help women entrepreneurs in the region.

The trip by U.S. President Donald Trump's daughter and special adviser is aimed at promoting a White House initiative for the economic empowerment of women and included previous stops in Argentina and Colombia. She arrived in the Paraguayan capital of Asuncion Thursday night.

Ivanka Trump said financial commitments to the Women's Prosperity and World Development Initiative would be doubled with “an additional US$ 500 million in private sector capital” for women entrepreneurs.

She was accompanied by Deputy Secretary of State John Sullivan.

Earlier, speaking to a group of invited women, she said the global empowerment project aimed to promote better vocational education, access to capital and markets, and establishing a legal and cultural environment that allows women to open bank accounts and obtain credit.

She greeted artisans who hand-made embroidered blankets and tablecloths as well as other products.

Abdo Benítez said in his welcoming message that Paraguay and the United States “have a historical friendship; we share values of democracy and institutionalism.”

“Today we also share values in defense of the family,” he said. “We raise the same flag.”

After meeting with Abdo Benítez, Ivanka Trump was scheduled to return to Washington.