For Esperanza Leonardo, becoming an entrepreneur was as exciting as it was challenging. When she launched her healthy spreads venture, she had no experience running a business, managing finances, or applying for a loan.

In Peru, only 56% of the adult population is considered financially educated. For the rest, knowledge about basic financial planning and available products and services remains out of reach. This is a reality that falls hardest on women entrepreneurs, who frequently lack credit histories or collateral, and often end up running informal businesses as a result.

To close this gap, the country’s Superintendencia de Banca, Seguros y AFP (SBS) has launched large-scale financial education campaigns, in partnership with the Ministry of Labor and Employment (MTPE) – many targeting women specifically.

For Esperanza, the training has made a world of difference. “The modules gave me tools I use every day — for managing my finances, applying for credit, and marketing my business,” she says. “They’re easy to understand, no matter your background.”

“Peru is a country where the role of women is very important,” says SBS Superintendent Sergio Javier Espinosa Chiroque. “It is the woman who, if you support and educate her, will transmit these benefits to the rest of her family.”

The joint workshops — available both online and in person — include business management, financial planning, and credit application protocols. To date, SBS’ financial education initiatives have reached more than 1.5 million citizens across the country.

Learn more about how financial education is empowering Peru’s women entrepreneurs in this short video.