Cairo launched the second edition of the “She Works Wonders” programme, under the auspices of the Ministry of Higher Education and scientific Research, the Ministry of Planning and Economic Development, and the National Council for Women, in co-operation with INJAZ Egypt, and funded by the PepsiCo Foundation.
It aims to increase the representation of women in predominantly male jobs such as sales, operations and factories, and finally the field of technology, which was added this year in co-operation with the strategic partner Vodafone Egypt.
This edition focuses on enhancing the value provided to participants and creating more employment opportunities for them through partnerships with private sector companies and civil society organisations.
The event was graced by a distinguished presence of a number of representatives from the business community, public figures and media representatives.
This edition comes in a more comprehensive scope, as it aims to increase the number of beneficiaries by 100 per cent, representing 1,200 participations, which is double the target number in the first edition.
It also seeks to provide the numerous numbers of training and employment opportunities through the new partnerships introduced to the programme with various private sector companies, the government sector and civil society institutions, for the first time.
Mohamed Shelbaya, CEO of PepsiCo North Africa, expressed delight over the launch of the second edition of the “She Works Wonders” Programme, which is a testament to the tremendous success achieved during the first edition.
“The second edition of the ‘She Works Wonders’ programme comes in line with our commitment to empowering women by developing their skills and expanding their employment options while ensuring equal opportunities for employment across sectors and fields that have traditionally been male-dominated,” Shelbaya said.
He further emphasized that PepsiCo Egypt, in this edition, has fostered numerous partnerships, for the first time, with various private and government sector and civil society institutions with the aim of achieving a deeper positive impact on the participants. In addition to providing the largest number of training and employment opportunities for girls.
Mr. Eugene Willemsen, CEO of PepsiCo Africa, Middle East, and South Asia, stated, “Women empowerment is the cornerstone for a prosperous and sustainable society. At PepsiCo, we firmly believe that empowering women is not limited to our workplace but extends to the communities we serve.
With the second edition of the ‘She Works Wonders’ programme, we are taking bold strides towards making a tangible difference in the lives of women by providing them with the necessary tools, resources, and support to overcome barriers and achieve their full potential.
Through the power of public-private partnerships and local collaborations, we will together empower women, ignite their untapped potential, and create a future where every woman has the freedom to dream, achieve, and lead.”
C.D. Glin, President of the PepsiCo Foundation and Global Head of Philanthropy for PepsiCo said “The PepsiCo Foundation values and recognises the impact women have in our communities and their ability to create positive change for their families, friends, local businesses and the world around them.
Through the “She Works Wonders” programme in partnership with INJAZ Egypt, we are working to ensure young Egyptian women have equal access to corporate employment opportunities by providing the training; education and mentorship they need to succeed in their careers and achieve financial stability.
In the first year, the programme had an incredible impact on 600 women and proved the power of investing in young women who are committed to investing in themselves.
We are proud to be a part of their career journey and to provide equitable access to economic opportunities for young women across the globe. I look forward to doubling this impact in our next chapter.”
“The ‘She Works Wonders’ programme significantly contributes to driving girls’ ambitions forward and achieving their future career dreams,” Dina El Mofty, Founder & Chairman of INJAZ Egypt, said.
“Through this programme, we aim to empower and develop the capabilities of fresh female graduates. We have full confidence in the abilities of these young women to surpass in professional tasks and make a significant contribution across various fields, ultimately uplifting Egyptian society and families.
INJAZ Egypt Foundation was established with the purpose of empowering Egyptian youth, nurturing their skills, and preparing them to be the driving force for Egypt’s prosperity.” El Mofty added.
“The second edition of the ‘She Works Wonders’ programme aims to enhance the value offered to the participants and provide greater employment opportunities, particularly in sectors with low female representation,” Ayman Essam, Vodafone Egypt’s External Affairs &Legal Director, said. “Through participating in the ‘She Works Wonders’ programme, Vodafone Egypt to reinforce the “Technology track” through practical training,” Ayman added:
“We also aim to offer internships for 50 participants in technology-related positions and sales roles within the company to accelerate their professional and academic development.
In fact, the programme comes in line with Vodafone Egypt’s vision and belief in the significant and essential role of women in societal and economic growth.
We affirm our commitment to enhancing our role in the job market, enabling women to obtain meaningful and sustainable employment opportunities, and providing the necessary tools and support to help them achieve their goals,” Essam explained.
It is worth noting that PepsiCo shall organise the first -Career Summit- within the programme, where major companies and partners will participate to bring more perks to the programme participants and provide greater job opportunities. In addition, a mentorship programme will be launched for the first time, to guide the participants and help them make full use of the programme.
