Building a stronger economics profession.
WELAC works to advance gender equality in economics across Latin America and the Caribbean by building a strong network of women economists, supporting professional development, and increasing visibility in academic and policy circles.
Advancing gender equality in economics across the region.
The Women in Economics in Latin America and the Caribbean (WELAC) initiative aims to strengthen the participation and influence of women throughout the economics profession.
Its theory of change centres on building a strong regional network of women economists, supporting their professional development, and enhancing their visibility in academic and policy circles.
Co-Impact funding facilitated the appointment of Inés Berniell as WELAC Coordinator, working alongside WELAC Director Raquel Fernández, as well as Milagros Onofri, who contributes to the management and coordination of WELAC activities.
WELAC brings together economists, students, researchers and professional associations across Latin America and the Caribbean to create stronger pathways for women in economics.
Building networks, evidence and opportunity.
Across 2025, WELAC expanded its research, national networks, workshops, mentorship activities and visibility across the region.
Understanding the next generation.
The second WELAC Survey gathered responses from 1,400 students across 96 universities in Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Mexico, Peru and Uruguay.
The survey explored academic plans, job preferences, role models, financial constraints, partner considerations and family obligations affecting decisions about further study.
Six active national committees.
The WELAC network now includes active national committees in Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Colombia and Uruguay.
These committees conduct workshops, mentoring sessions and advocacy activities within their national economics associations.
Connecting research across the region.
Two major workshops took place in 2025. The 5th RIDGE-WELAC Workshop on Gender and Household Economics was held in Lima, while the CAF-WELAC Workshop took place in Buenos Aires.
View RIDGE-WELAC programme →Research, policy and cultural norms.
A special WELAC session at the LACEA Annual Meeting in Recife brought together research examining how public policies and economic conditions shape gender norms and behavioural outcomes.
Looking ahead in the profession.
The annual WELAC mentorship session at the LACEA Annual Meeting brought together PhD students, junior faculty and senior economists for a forward-looking discussion on research, careers and the future of the profession.
The session attracted 94 registered participants.
Making women economists visible.
The Directory of Women Economists in Latin America and the Caribbean was successfully launched on the WELAC website.
With more than 400 profiles, the directory provides a resource for networking, visibility and participation in conferences, seminars and policy debates.
A regional network with national roots.
WELAC works through national committees embedded within economics associations across Latin America. These networks create spaces for mentoring, collaboration, advocacy and professional development.
Argentina
COMAE
Bolivia
BOWEN
Brazil
Rede de Mulheres Economistas do Brasil
Chile
REM
Colombia
Under Afadeco
Uruguay
WELAC national committee
Creating connections across generations of economists.
WELAC's mentorship activities bring together economists at different stages of their careers to discuss research, professional development and the future direction of the discipline.
Discover the network.
Visit the WELAC website to explore the latest research, activities, events and the Directory of Women Economists across Latin America and the Caribbean.
Visit the WELAC website →