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LATAM Women's Economic Forum: Empowering Leaders and Breaking Barriers

When a room fills with voices that dream of transforming economies and societies, something profound is happening: it's not just an event; it's a movement. What drives thousands of women from across Latin America to attend the Women Economic Forum LATAM (WEF LATAM) year after year? What lessons emerge when leaders, entrepreneurs, academics, and government officials come together to discuss gender equality, sustainable economics, and collective well-being? Since its arrival in the region, this forum has become a vital meeting point for those who want to challenge the status quo and build fairer and more inclusive economic realities.

A Meeting with Global and Regional Purpose

In essence, the Women Economic Forum is an international platform created by the ALL-Ladies League (ALL) that seeks to foster dialogue, collaboration, and concrete actions to empower women in all areas of the economy and society. This initiative not only connects voices but also drives real solutions in a global context that still faces profound gaps in gender equality.

The Colombia LATAM 2025 edition, held in Bogotá in March, represented a milestone in this effort. Under the theme of physical, mental, and emotional well-being as pillars of women's leadership and sustainable economic empowerment, the forum brought together thousands of participants, with more than 300 speakers and nearly 5,700 in-person attendees, in addition to tens of thousands of people connecting virtually. These figures demonstrate how the conversation about gender equality transcends borders and sectors.

This gathering was more than just an event; it was an invitation to rethink the economy from a human perspective. Upon opening its doors, the forum posed a silent yet powerful question: Can an economy truly prosper if it doesn't integrate the voices and experiences of half its population? The answer many found there was that an economy aspiring to full and lasting prosperity must integrate women as protagonists, not as marginal participants.

Voices that Inspire and Drive Change

Speakers from diverse fields, from representatives of international organizations such as UN Women to business leaders and social activists, shared visions and experiences that resonated strongly with the audience.

Beyond the statistics, each testimony at the forum was a story of challenges overcome and challenges yet to be faced. The presence of figures embodying diverse struggles and triumphs offered concrete examples of how women can lead significant change in increasingly complex and globalized economies. For many attendees, this exchange of experiences was the spark they needed to launch new projects or strengthen their commitment to existing initiatives.

In an environment where women have historically been underrepresented in the formal economy, spaces like WEF LATAM act as catalysts: they not only highlight barriers but also propose pathways to overcome them. Here, networking is transformed into tangible action, and conversations into impactful proposals.

Beyond the Event: Legacy and Impact in Latin America

What makes the Women Economic Forum LATAM special is not only its scale, but also its significance for its participants: it serves as a reminder that economic equality is an ongoing process requiring collaboration, active listening, and commitment. In a continent where issues such as gender-based violence, lack of access to financial services, and wage gaps persist, the forum poses a direct challenge to the systems that have excluded so many women from productive and decision-making processes.

As each edition draws to a close, it becomes clear that WEF LATAM is more than just a series of conferences: it's a movement that sows seeds of ideas, inspires new generations, and strengthens a network of change agents. In our own Latin American experiences, we've seen how these kinds of platforms can plant seeds of innovation and hope, giving women entrepreneurs and leaders the necessary impetus to transform their communities.

And this is where the reflection becomes personal: how can we, from our local realities, continue the legacy of the Women Economic Forum? What concrete actions can we take to ensure that gender equality ceases to be an aspiration and becomes a tangible reality in Latin America?

This forum teaches us that every voice counts, that every network built can generate multiplying impacts, and that the path to a fairer economy begins with courageous dialogue and sustained action. In your own environment—whether business, social, or academic—you can be part of this change: by supporting inclusive policies, promoting women's leadership, and, above all, listening with empathy to the voices that are still waiting to be heard.

Next Event WEF LATAM 2026

The upcoming Women Economic Forum Colombia LATAM 2026 will take place in Bogotá, Colombia, on March 4‑5, 2026, coinciding with International Women’s Day. This event will once again bring together leaders, entrepreneurs, and change agents from across the region, continuing the mission of empowering women and strengthening economic equality in Latin America.

Additionally, the global WEF calendar for 2026 includes other regional editions: WEF‑New York, March 11‑12, 2026, New York, USA WEF‑Dominican Republic, April 25‑26, 2026, Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic WEF‑Panama, May 20‑21, 2026, Panama City, Panama These editions reflect the international expansion of the forum and its continued commitment to gender equality across continents.

By Estefanía Muriel for Ruta Pantera on 1/2/2026 5:20:20 AM

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