Coca-Cola's 5by20 Programme Wins Best Global Initiative for Women's Economic Empowerment

• The Best Global Initiative for Women's Economic Empowerment award went to The Coca-Cola Company's 5by20 program
• At the Women in Leadership Economic Forum in Dubai, the award was given out
• On January 12, 2015, in Colombo, the announcement was made

At the Women in Leadership Economic Forum in Dubai, The Coca-Cola Company's 5by20 program was recognized as the Best Global Initiative for Women's Economic Empowerment. Antoine Tayyar, Director of Public Affairs and Communications for Coca-Cola Middle East, and Susan Mboya, President of The Coca-Cola Africa Foundation, accepted the award on behalf of the company.

By providing access to financial services, networking opportunities, mentorship, and training in business skills, 5by20 addresses the major obstacles women face in the business world and aims to economically empower 5 million women entrepreneurs by 2020. Through collaborations with governments, civil society, and international organizations like UN Women, IFC, TechnoServe, the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, IDB, and Mercy Corps, the program is customized to address local needs.

Over 550,000 women in 44 countries had benefited from the program by the end of 2013. With the goal of reaching women worldwide, Mboya expressed confidence in the program's exponential growth. Citing compelling evidence of the wider advantages of funding women entrepreneurs, Tayyar underlined the critical role that women play in economic and community development.

For its continuous efforts to support women in business, Coca-Cola has also won the Women's Empowerment Principles Leadership Award in 2014 and the 2013 Catalyst Award. In collaboration with Women In Management (WIM) and the Ministry of Child Development

 and Women's Affairs, Coca-Cola introduced 5by20 in Sri Lanka in 2012.

Through retailer training programs aimed at women working in traditional retail (kirana/mom-and-pop stores), the initiative has reached thousands of women and promoted inclusive growth nationwide. The training is designed to meet a range of needs and is offered in Trincomalee, Panama, Anuradhapura, Mullaitivu, Polonnaruwa, Batticaloa, Negombo, Kilinochchi, and Colombo.

By providing women with the necessary networks, resources, and skills, 5by20 is empowering women to pursue their entrepreneurial aspirations and fostering stronger, more sustainable communities.