Striking the Right Connection: UN Ecuador's Mentorship for Women

In a world where gender equality and female empowerment continue to face resistance, for the United Nations in Ecuador, the work starts in-house first. A unique Women's Mentorship Programme has emerged as a glimmer for women working in international affairs. This innovative programme, based on mutual respect, trust, and integrity, seeks to promote connection, learning, and increased sisterhood among women working at the UN in Ecuador. 

The programme was launched by the UN Resident Coordinator’s Office at the end of 2021. So far, it has involved 74 female officials from the UN System from different parts of the country and various agencies. It has achieved the active participation and commitment of 28 mentors, leaders from various sectors within the UN System as well as the public, private sectors, civil society, and academia.

The main objective of the programme is to exchange experiences regarding the challenges women face in the workplace, and to explore practical solutions through the mentor-mentee relationship. Since mentorship relations improve productivity, engagement, and staff retention, they benefit the organization as a whole.

The Power of Mentorship 

In the programme sessions, mentors share their knowledge and experiences in the various areas they work in. Here, they not only provide practical advice but also motivate and encourage the mentees. This support is crucial for the personal and professional growth of women in the programme. 

Speaking about the programme and calling on young women in the system, UN Resident Coordinator Lena Savelli said, “We need you in the UN System, you are strong, you are capable, and you can contribute a lot to human development, to sustainable development, and to the work of the UN”.

The programme has sparked the creation of a network among the participating mentors, weaving powerful relations that empower its members. 

The programme is organized into bimonthly group sessions that include talks and networking spaces, open to all women from the United Nations. In addition, there are bilateral sessions between mentors and mentees. The first phase of the programme featured 13 mentors and 28 mentees. The second phase had 24 mentors and 46 mentees. And the third phase is expected to start in the first quarter of the year, already having many expressions of interest.

Some of the guest speakers have been Gabriela Sommerfeld, a business leader and current Chancellor of the Republic; Diana Atamaint, President of the National Electoral Council of Ecuador; Jessica Faieta, former UN official; María Fernanda Corral, Executive Director of Women for Women; Sibylle Ouwerx, executive coach; and Carla Barbotó, President of Paccari, a leading company in the production and marketing of sustainable organic cocoa and chocolate and Lola Castro, Regional Director of the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP).

Changes for a Promising Future 

Participants have expressed the positive impact the programme has had on their lives, reflecting on the shared connection and the confidence they have gained in forging their own solutions to everyday challenges. Participants highlighted that they had improved their interpersonal skills, motivation and self-confidence,  stepping out of comfort zones and embracing their full potential. 

With hopes of starting a third phase in the first quarter of 2024, the UN Ecuador’s Women’s Mentorship Programme is poised as a model to follow in the empowerment and professional development of women for other countries the world over.

For more information about the UN's work in Ecuador, visit ecuador.un.org.