Improve nutritional, financial, and digital technology knowledge for Vietnamese women

The cooperation agreement in the "Nestlé accompanying women" Program has been implemented by Nestlé Vietnam in coordination with the Vietnam Women's Union since December 2020 in 9 provinces and expanded in November 2022 to 21 localities.

At the Conference summarizing the implementation of the cooperation agreement between the Vietnam Women's Union and Nestlé Vietnam in 2023, the parties jointly evaluated the achievements and set out operating directions 2024.

Important milestone in the cooperation program

Mr. Binu Jacob, General Director of Nestlé Vietnam Co., Ltd., said 2023 is the first year in the second period of cooperation between the two sides. The goal of this cooperation is to expand the achievements in Phase 1 while taking one more step in the journey of empowering women in Vietnam.

Commenting on the past journey, Mr. Binu Jacob said that the cooperation program has grown stronger daily, reflected in the number of participating provinces and increasingly diverse fields of cooperation and practical.

According to the General Director of Nestlé Vietnam, from the first days of its presence in Vietnam, along with promoting sustainable development, the company determined to enhance women's empowerment and promote gender equality in the workplace and throughout the value chain is one of the key priorities.

"I believe that in the coming years, the Cooperation Program will reap many positive results, contributing to the goal of promoting women's empowerment, gender equality, and improving the quality of life at the same time, contributing to realizing the country's goal of digital transformation and building new rural areas," Mr. Binu Jacob expressed.

Mrs. Ton Ngoc Hanh, Vice President of the Vietnam Women's Union, said that many localities have excitedly registered and wanted to participate in the Program. According to her, the Program has brought practical value to Vietnamese women.

In 2024, Mrs. Hanh hopes Nestlé will have timely regulation and attention based on Vietnam's proposals, especially supporting and accompanying women in starting businesses and developing services.

"The Central Presidium of the Vietnam Women's Union believes that implementing the Cooperation Agreement will empower women, building an organization that will become more professional, effective the prestige of all parties," the Vietnam Women's Union leader expected.

13,000 members were trained in nutrition skills and healthy living

Mrs. Le Bui Thi Mai Uyen, Food Industry Director of Nestlé Vietnam Co., Ltd., said that from 2021 until now, the Program has trained 13,000 women members on nutrition, life knowledge and skills, happiness, and health.

Among them, 4,000 members have been trained in communication skills and family financial management, and 5,000 members have been trained in digital technology knowledge skills. In training activities on knowledge and use of digital applications, 100% of members participated.

Women, especially in rural areas - the Program's primary beneficiaries - have gradually become confident in taking control of their lives, grasping and exploiting digital technology's strengths.

By the end of September 2023, the Program has created and maintained sustainable livelihood models and programs to promote digital applications in 790 communes, with 1,840 models nationwide.

In addition, Nestlé also accompanies the Women's Union at all levels in many social programs such as storm and flood relief, supporting the community in hunger eradication and poverty reduction.

Regarding the orientation for 2024, Mrs. Truong Thi Thu Thuy, Member of the Presidium and Head of the Family - Society Committee, Vietnam Women's Union, said that the Program will open many training sessions to improve knowledge and skills. Especially information technology, digital transformation, continuing to innovate sources of sustainable livelihood support, and initial capital support in the "Cooking up a career" program.

In particular, the "Startup Sister Nest" Program will focus on supporting women in starting a business. The primary beneficiaries are women in the Central Highlands region participating in the Sustainable Coffee Farming Project.

At the Conference, the Vietnam Women's Union and Nestlé Vietnam commended 19 groups and individuals from the provincial to grassroots levels for most effectively implementing the "Nestlé accompanying women" program.

The "Nestlé accompanying women" Program continues initiatives to empower women at the company, in the community, and throughout the value chain that Nestlé has implemented in Vietnam for nearly 30 years. In addition, Nestlé is committed to empowering women through the NESCAFÉ Plan program.

At Nestlé Vietnam, gender equality is expressed through developing human resource development policies and strategies, from recruitment, succession planning, and promotion. The proportion of women holding leadership positions in the company reached 54%. These commitments are part of the Social pillar of the strategy to implement sustainable initiatives implemented by Nestlé Vietnam over the years.