Coca-Cola expands women's economic empowerment programme in Asia

The “5by20” programme hopes to empower 5 million women entrepreneurs across the Coca-Cola value chain by 2020 through the provision of access to business skills, financial services, assets and mentor support networks.  

The programme was originally piloted across the Philippines, India, Brazil and South Africa, but it will now be expanded to 12 markets, including Thailand and China.  

The programme in China, implemented in partnership with All China Women’s Federation, will provide business skills to female retailers. The initial pilot is underway in Guangxi Province

“Working with and investing in women is one of the most powerful ways to spur sustainable economic growth and development,” said Muhtar Kent, chairman and CEO of The Coca-Cola Company. “We are transforming lives and communities, making a profound and lasting impact on global issues and also growing our business.”

The Coca-Cola Company also announced in June that as part of its re-entry into Myanmar it would provide a US$3 million grant to NGO Pact to support women’s economic empowerment and job creation initiatives throughout the market.