Coca-Cola empowers women entrepreneurs through the STAR Program

Over 80,000 women's lives have changed and many more are yet to happen as Coca-Cola continues to empower micro-entrepreneurs through the Coca-Cola Sari-Sari Store Training and Access to Resources (STAR) Program.

“The STAR Program in the Philippines is a model program on how Coca-Cola can create a more direct and positive contribution to the development of the communities where we are present,”
John Murphy, The Coca-Cola Company Asia Pacific Group President


STAR has also expanded its scope by including other groups that will surely benefit from the program:
  • women in agriculture, distressed and repatriated women overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) through the Overseas Workers Welfare Association of the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE)
  • beneficiaries of the government conditional cash transfer program or the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) in coordination with the Department of Social Welfare and Development – National Capital Region
  • women micro-entrepreneurs under the Kapatid Program of the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) and GoNegosyo
  • women in disaster-stricken areas

“This year, we are doubling our efforts to bring the STAR Program to more women by partnering with various government agencies and local government units," Gilda Maquilan, 5by20 Lead and Sustainability Manager of Coca-Cola Philippines

In his recent trip to Cebu, Murphy got the chance to interact with around 1,000 women entrepreneurs in an event full of learning, entertainment, and prizes. 





More about Coca-Cola's STAR Program...


Coca-Cola Philippines launched the STAR Program in 2011, in line with the 5by20 global initiative of The Coca-Cola Company to economically empower 5 million women within its value chain by 2020.

The Coca-Cola 5by20 STAR Program was implemented in partnership with the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA). The STAR Program is designed for women micro-entrepreneurs who own and manage sari-sari stores or carinderias. The Program hopes to address the barriers these women face by helping them achieve business success. The STAR Program has three components: access to training, access to resources, and access to peer mentoring.

To date, the STAR Program has 390 accredited facilitators teaching and training women retailers to become better entrepreneurs. The Program is being implemented in over 47 locations nationwide and has reached more than 80,000 women.

Aside from TESDA, partners also include Coca-Cola FEMSA Philippines, Alay sa Kaunlaran, Inc. (ASKI), First Community Cooperative (FICCO), Negros Women for Tomorrow Foundation, Inc. (NWTF), ASA Philippines, and National Confederation of Cooperatives (NATCCO).

Coca-Cola, with its 19 manufacturing facilities in the Philippines, and over 10,000-strong labor force, is proactive in promoting women empowerment through 5by20.
EDnything
Edward Santos

EDnything is a lifestyle and entertainment blog featuring great deals and happenings in the Philippines. It also features food reviews, gadgets, showbiz, movies and theater plays, and more!

No comments:

Post a Comment