Coca-Cola's 5by20 programme:

Recognising women professionals and entrepreneurs

Three participants from the Coca-Cola's 5by20 programme were felicitated at the Annual Professional and Career Women Awards Ceremony, which was conducted for the sixth consecutive year by Women in Management and the International Finance Corporation (IFC). The awards recognized women from all walks of life who have excelled as professionals and entrepreneurs. The event was attended by Chandrani Bandara, Minister of Child Development and Women's Affairs amongst other senior government officials and private sector representatives.

Speaking at the event, Minister Bandara said, "We as a government are striving to put into action the words set out in the preamble of 'The Convention on the Elimination of Discrimination of Women'where it establishes that "The full and complete development of a country, the welfare of the world and the cause of peace require the aximum participation of women on equal terms with men in all fields."

In Sri Lanka, Coca-Cola works closely with Women in Management and the Ministry of Child Development and Women's Affairs to conduct a series of entrepreneurship training programmes across the country under the 5by20 banner. The 5by20 initiative is an integral part of Coca-Cola's global strategy to promote long-term sustainable growth by economically empowering five million women entrepreneurs across the company's value chain by 2020.

Celebrating the success, contribution and achievements of remarkable Sri Lankan women, Sonu Grover, Managing Director, Coca-Cola Sri Lanka Private Limited said, "As a woman, I feel an immense sense of pride to be associated with this program today and be part of the celebration. I applaud the women who have been recognized for their hard work, dedication and achievements"

Coca-Cola's 5by20 program in Sri Lanka has inspired the lives of over 4,500 women across the country since it began in 2012. Through 5by20, Coca-Cola seeks to address the most common barriers women face when trying to succeed in the marketplace." She added.

Sulochana Segera, Chairperson, Women in Management (WIM) said: "I am extremely proud of the participants of the 5by20 initiative who were recognized at this year's awards ceremony. The 5by20 programme has given these women and thousands of other women across the island, the support and practical hands-on training they need to excel as entrepreneurs."

Coca-Cola's 5by20 program in Sri Lanka offers women, access to market and business skills training courses, financial services, and connections with peers or mentors, along with the confidence that comes with building a successful business. 5by20 is conducted island-wide in Trincomalee, Panama, Anuradhapura, Mullaitivu, Polonnaruwa, Batticaloa, Negombo, Kilinochchi and Colombo.

The Coca-Cola Company's global 5by20 initiative has reached more than 1.2 million women entrepreneurs across 60 countries since 2010. In 2015 alone, the initiative reached more than 372,000 women entrepreneurs, an increase of 43 percent over the prior year.