Coca-Cola Nepal Embarks on Providing Training to 1000 Women Across its Value Chain

There is overwhelming evidence that achieving equality and empowerment for women has broad ripple effects that are good for society. This is why Coca-Cola remains committed to making a positive difference by empowering women in the workplace and beyond through all its strategic approaches. Putting this into action, Coca-Cola in Nepal jointly with its bottling partner Bottlers Nepal Limited has commenced the ‘Saksham’ (meaning Capable) training program, which intends to train 1000 women running grocery stores and small eatery outlets across the value chain in Nepal.

The campaign connects with the theme of International Women’s Day 2022, which is "Gender Equality Today for a Sustainable Tomorrow" with an effort to make these women ‘Saksham’ meaning capable to take their rightful place as equals in the economy. The program seeks to impart knowledge and training that will create a conducive environment for innovation and growth, ultimately leading to the economic development of the nation.  Thus, Saksham program has been designed to build the capacity of the women retailers and women-owned small restaurant owners on financial literacy, hospitality, and sanitation management, and use of the digital wallet.

Mr. Adarsh Awasthi, Country Director of Coca-Cola in Nepal shared, “We believe that when a woman is empowered, the whole nation is empowered. And it is really overwhelming to see the positive transformations we have been able to make in their lives through our previous training programs such as 5by20 and the STAR program. Now as we embark on a new program to support and empower 1000 female entrepreneurs of value chain, we hope to make a humble and impactful difference in their lives”

Mr. Pradip Pandey, Managing Director of Bottlers Nepal Limited shared, “So many small shops and eateries in rural as well as urban areas in Nepal are run by Women and we have observed the challenges they face specially post-pandemic. Through this program, we focus to foster the capabilities of women entrepreneurs running grocery stores and small eatery outlets by enhancing their knowledge that helps to build confidence and provides access to opportunities in the modern world.”

Diversity, equity, and inclusion are at the heart of Coca-Cola’s values and growth strategy and play an important part in the company's success. This can be reflected in Coca-Cola’s various women empowering initiatives over the years. In 2010, Coca-Cola globally announced the ambitious 5by20 program which aimed to enable the economic empowerment of 5 million female entrepreneurs across its value chain by 2020. Additionally, Coca-Cola Nepal has also successfully conducted the STAR (Shopkeeper Training and Resources) program for 5,800 women in retail during the past 6 years.