Mujeres de Giraldo, agents of change

Yessica is the cupping leader of our regional stations in South Colombia and responsible for purchases in the region of Antioquia. Since her start at The Coffee Quest, she has expanded our hearts and helped us reach out to more producers. When The Coffee Quest Colombia discussed the topic of Gender and Social Equality through coffee, Yessica suggested working with the women producers in her area, with whom she has built a strong bond over the years. 

“As a woman working in the coffee industry, we want to prove that the coffee quality from female producers has the same high value as men’s, but the main challenge is to make them believe in themselves, due to the ‘machista’  Colombian culture” – Yessica Parra

Through advocating women’s self-determination in rural areas, Yessica can see change in the Colombian culture. In coffee production, women play a central, but often “invisible” role in coffee production. However, despite their importance, women generally have limited access to information, training, resources, and incentives. These limitations are barriers to women’s economic empowerment, and even to the success and profitability of the family farm. This is why The Coffee Quest Colombia decided to set up a program to introduce any member to the field of Empowerment & Leadership, Production & Process Improvement, and Business Management).