PepsiCo Egypt launches 2nd stage of “She Works Wonders” to support 1,200 women

12 / 07 / 2023

By Marwa Nassar - -

PepsiCo Egypt launched the second edition of the “She Works Wonders” program with an aim to increase the number of beneficiaries by 100%, which represents 1200 participants, double the target of the previous edition.

The second stage of the program also seeks to provide numerous training and employment opportunities through new partnerships introduced to the program with various private sector companies, government entities, and civil society organizations for the first time.

The program is implemented under the auspices of the Ministry of Higher Education, the Ministry of Planning and Economic Development, and the National Council for Women, in cooperation with INJAZ Egypt, and funded by the PepsiCo Foundation, the philanthropic arm of PepsiCo.

The program aims to increase female representation in male-dominated jobs, such as sales and supply chains, and, in a recent addition, the field of technology in partnership with the strategic ally 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 organizations.

The launch event was attended by Mohamed Shelbaya, CEO of PepsiCo North Africa, Eugene Willemsen, CEO of PepsiCo in Africa, Middle East, and South Asia, Dina El Mofty, Founder of INJAZ Egypt, as well as the CEOs of private sector partners participating in this edition, including Vodafone Egypt, the strategic partner, and Nestle, Danone Egypt, P&G, Mars, Microsoft, and Cisco as the technical partners. In addition, the program is supported by several organizations, including UN Women in Egypt, USAID, Pathfinder International, and the Egyptian Coalition for Equality. The event was also graced by a distinguished presence of a number of representatives from the business community, public figures, and media representatives.

Mohamed Shelbaya, CEO of PepsiCo North Africa, expressed delight over the launch of the second edition of the “She Works Wonders” Program, which is a testament to the tremendous success achieved during the first edition.

He stated “The second edition of the ‘She Works Wonders’ program 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 further emphasized that PepsiCo Egypt, in this edition, has fostered numerous partnerships with various private sector companies, government entities, and civil society organizations for the first time in the program. The primary objective behind these alliances is to achieve a larger-scale positive impact on the program’s participants, while also creating an amplified array of training and employment prospects; ensuring a broader scope of opportunities for their empowerment and growth.

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 program, 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 recognizes 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” program 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 the first year alone, the program 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.”

Dina El Mofty, Founder & Chairman of INJAZ Egypt, said “The ‘She Works Wonders’ program significantly contributes to driving girls’ ambitions forward and achieving their future career dreams. Through this program, we aim to empower and develop the capabilities of fresh female graduates. We have full confidence in the abilities of these young women to excel 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.”

Ayman Essam, Vodafone Egypt’s External Affairs & Legal Director, said “The second edition of the ‘She Works Wonders’ program aims to enhance the value offered to the participants and provide greater employment opportunities, particularly in sectors with low female representation. Through participating in the ‘She Works Wonders’ program, that aims to train and support 1200 participants. Vodafone Egypt reinforces 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 program 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.”