Source: The Point
Gambega Ltd on 24 March held the official launching of its third batch of 5 by 20 Women Group, a Coca-Cola Company initiative that intends to train and set up 5 million women entrepreneurs by the year 2020.

The official launching was held at the Governor's office in Brikama.

Delivering his speech at the official launching, John Bass, Finance and Supply Chain Manager of Gambega, who spoke on behalf of the Country Manager of Gambega Ltd, said they are set to co-opt and finally enroll up to 60 women from the West Coast who have undergone training on the 5by20 scheme.

Mr Bass said the 5by20 initiative is a global commitment made by Coca-Cola Company a year ago to train and create up to 5 million women entrepreneurs by the year 2020.

"I am pleased to inform you that this Women Empowerment project in The Gambia was kicked into motion last year and so far it is gratifying to note that we have trained and enrolled not less than eighty (80) women mainly from Banjul and Kanifing regions."

This is the third group of Gambian women between the ages of 18 and 45 to have benefitted from this project, Mr Bass said.

"The launch of this particular batch in the West Coast Region is a clear demonstration that our business is here for the people, in fulfillment of our corporate social responsibility, which is anchored on impacting the lives and livelihoods of local communities in a positive manner," he added.

It is our fervent conviction that Africa is the future.

"And in line with such a belief, we are fully committed to investing in African women, particularly in the areas of education and entrepreneurship, all of which have trickling or multiplier effects on our communities. Women are not only the mothers but as a matter of fact the first teachers."

The Gambega finance and supply chain manager said as a Coca-Cola Company, they cherish and appreciate the fact that women around the world are already important pillars of their business system.

"By building on that foundation, the company founded and developed the 5by20 initiative in recognition of the challenges faced by women as well as their economic potentials," Mr Bass added, saying: "This initiative aims to address the most common barriers women face when trying to succeed in the market place."

• Gambia