By Province of Peru
On April 2, 2026, a group of women participants from the Good Shepherd mission in La Florida secured first and second place in the “La Aguchita” Dessert Contest.
This cultural and culinary event was organized in the town center of La Florida as part of Holy Week activities in honor of Blessed María Agustina de Jesús Rivas López (‘Aguchita’), whose life and witness continue to inspire communities across the region.
Beyond the recognition received, this achievement highlights the concrete impact of our sustained investment in women’s empowerment through the mission, in alignment with the Les documents de Position de la Congrégation le justice économique et rights of women and girls. The participants have been supported through skills training, basic entrepreneurship management, and individual capacity development that reflect a human-rights based approach to development. These pathways are critical to enabling them to strengthen their skills, generate their own income, and move toward greater economic independence.
Their strong performance demonstrates how access to inclusive and equitable training opportunities not only builds practical skills, but also strengthens confidence, leadership, and women’s agency to actively shape and participate in local economic life.
From the perspective of the Good Shepherd charism, this result reaffirms a firm commitment to advancing the rights and holistic development of women, particularly in contexts of vulnerability, where strengthening capacities is essential to overcoming structural barriers and transforming living conditions.
The Good Shepherd mission in Peru renews our commitment to continue advancing, throughout 2026, initiatives that advance economic inclusion, entrepreneurship, and women’s leadership in line with the global advocacy priorities of the Congregation.
Guided by the Position Papers and aligned with the UN 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, these efforts contribute to strengthening social protection, advancing gender equality, and promoting dignified livelihoods—working toward more just, resilient communities where women have the opportunity not only to participate, but to lead and shape their futures.
