Social Good

Coca-Cola’s 5by20 Program Empowers Women Around the World

by Amy @ Mom Spark on March 1, 2017 // This post may contain affiliate links.

I received products from Coca-Cola’s 5by20 program; however, all thoughts and opinions expressed are my own.

As you probably know already, I love to travel.

Traveling the world and meeting new people is how I learn about the world and myself. I’ve been lucky that a few of my most meaningful and life-changing trips have been sponsored by Coca-Cola, too. This year for International Women’s Day (March 8th) I’m so proud to be able to share with you some of the work Coca-Cola’s 5by20 initiative does.

Many women around the world want to earn an income and support their families but have no access to the necessary resources, skills, or opportunities. This is a hard concept to really grasp unless you’ve seen it yourself.

These women need a hand-up, not a handout, to lift themselves up out of poverty. Coca-Cola’s 5by20 initiative provides access to skills training, financial resources, and mentorship to women entrepreneurs across the globe. The initiative’s name comes from their goal to help 5 million women by 2020.

As a female entrepreneur, I want to help other women succeed. But, it’s not just my idea of sisterhood that makes me think this project is so important. Studies show that women are more likely to reinvest 90% of their income in food, education, and healthcare for their children and their families.

There is a mountain of research showing that when you invest in the education and success of women, it improves the economy and makes the community stronger and more sustainable. Everyone benefits – men, women, and children. That means, when you help women, you help an entire community.

There are 5by20 programs enabling women in more than 60 countries around the world. You can participate in this amazing endeavor by purchasing items, like those pictured in this post, from the 5by20 website.

Each artist has her own story. For example, Sandy in Chimulahaucan, Mexico makes gorgeous purses and iPad covers out of unusable consumer packaging. Benedicta from Uganda collects used plastic straws and weaves them into bags, jewelry, mats, and even dresses. There’s really no end to the creative possibilities women have. Check out this video to see what I mean.