{"id":25278,"date":"2019-05-23T13:58:08","date_gmt":"2019-05-23T11:58:08","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.fundacionmicrofinanzasbbva.org\/en\/s-m-la-reina-preside-debate-seis-mujeres-excepcionales-estan-rompiendo-barreras-sectores\/"},"modified":"2019-12-04T12:31:53","modified_gmt":"2019-12-04T11:31:53","slug":"s-m-la-reina-preside-debate-seis-mujeres-excepcionales-estan-rompiendo-barreras-sectores","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.fundacionmicrofinanzasbbva.org\/en\/s-m-la-reina-preside-debate-seis-mujeres-excepcionales-estan-rompiendo-barreras-sectores\/","title":{"rendered":"H.M. the Queen chairs a roundtable with six exceptional women who are breaking barriers in their fields"},"content":{"rendered":"

This morning, the roundtable entitled \u201cExceptional women: the value of an opportunity\u201d has taken place in Madrid, under the chairmanship of H.M. the Queen and organized by BBVA Microfinance Foundation (BBVAMF), to discuss how they are able to overcome barriers and be successful in traditionally masculine jobs or fields. Six women: artist Lita Cabellut, an Air Force commander, a player of the national rugby team, a gas fitter and businesswoman, a science degree undergraduate and a truck driver and entrepreneur served by BBVA Microfinance Foundation have been the champions of this gathering. BBVA group executive chairman Carlos Torres Vila, BBVAMF CEO Javier M. Flores and current Minister of Economy, Nadia Calvi\u00f1o, have participated as well.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThese stories inspire us to keep on working for a more inclusive and diverse society\u201d, declared the bank\u2019s executive chairman during his opening address, and he has described the six participants as \u201crole models, the best examples on how valuable an opportunity is.\u201d During the discussion, education, financial inclusion and women\u2019s entrepreneurship and stereotypes in workplace as well as in sports usually associated with men were addressed, among other topics.<\/span><\/p>\n

The opportunity that changed their lives<\/b><\/h2>\n

For prestigious artist <\/span>Lita Cabellut<\/b>, the opportunity came along with her adoptive parents: \u201cThey opened my life to the world of art, thanks to them, I discovered my passion for painting.\u201d In the case of <\/span>Guisela Mart\u00ednez<\/b>, from Peru, it was a microcredit that allowed her to grow with her small transport and carbon sales businesses, in a country where only 35% of women have a bank account. \u201cBBVA Microfinance Foundation has lent me a hand when no other bank would. They not only lend me money, they also teach me how to manage it\u201d, she said.<\/span><\/p>\n

According to Carlos Torres Vila, \u201cfor BBVA, education is a great opportunity to improve people\u2019s lives. And in line with our purpose to make opportunities of this new era available for all, BBVA Microfinance Foundation serves more than two million people living in vulnerable conditions; 1.2 million of them, women.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

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Six exceptional women with H.M. the Queen, Minister of Economy Nadia Calvi\u00f1o, BBVA executive group chairman Carlos Torres Vila and BBVA Microfinance Foundation CEO Javier M. Flores<\/p><\/div>\n

Education, pillar for progress and professional development<\/b><\/h2>\n

According to the Queen, \u201ceducation is a priority from elementary to secondary schooling, and the role played by families and professors, whose efforts have to be acknowledged, is fundamental to guarantee equal opportunities.” <\/span>Rosa Mu\u00f1oz<\/b>, native of Granada, a Geology student, has narrated that in her case, her grandmother\u2019s support was essential: a woman who learned how to write at 65 years old. Her parents and her professors also believed in her during the moments she needed it most. Rosa, of Roma ethnicity, has proudly shared that she is the first family member to study in a university, and that even if she works to pay for her own studies, she knows that she will soon be a paleontologist, which is her dream. According to the Gypsy Secretariat Foundation, only 1% of the gypsy population in Spain goes to the university, and says that \u201cA gypsy woman studying in a university is not something you see everyday\u201d.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cEducation is a key issue for the future of this country and the whole world\u201d, declared the Minister of Economy, Nadia Calvi\u00f1o. All of the participants agreed on the importance of skills and capacity training, even if one is already a professional. <\/span>Commander G\u00f3mez<\/b> is still currently studying, even though she is already the first female pilot of the Aspa Patrol (Air Force helicopters), and the first female commander of squad 402, (responsible for the transport of the Royal Household and the Government presidency). \u201cI am a graduate in English Philology and I\u2019m now studying Geography and History, aside from learning French. I\u2019m a nerd\u201d, assures this pioneer, who is part of the 4.8% of female pilots in the Air Force. She adds, \u201cYou have to be enthusiastic, with that, you can achieve everything.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n