CJMY
Procter & Gamble (P&G) and WEConnect International have successfully concluded the 2023 edition of their flagship P&G Women Entrepreneurs Academy (WEA) with a virtual graduation ceremony.
This year’s graduation ceremony, held for the first time in Malaysia, saw 23 women entrepreneurs, 13 from Malaysia and ten from Singapore, undergo a wide range of training and development modules. The modules, conducted by senior P&G representatives in collaboration with WEConnect, aimed to develop the entrepreneurs’ capabilities and help them grow their businesses.
The three-week online modules covered many business development topics, including operations, procurement, leadership skills, sales, and company branding.
Malaysia’s Minister of Women, Family and Community Development, Dato’ Sri Hajah Nancy Binti Haji Shukri and Singapore’s State Minister, Ministry of Trade and Industry & Ministry of Culture, Community and Youth, Low Yen Ling, graced the virtual graduation ceremony.
The P&G Women Entrepreneurs Academy is a crucial initiative in P&G’s long-term commitment towards an equal and inclusive environment to close the gender economic gap. It is conducted with WEConnect International, a global non-profit organization that works with multinational corporations and multilateral organizations to generate market access opportunities for women’s business enterprises in over 135 countries.
“At P&G, our vision is to create a more equal and inclusive world. We have a role and desire to remove barriers to economic opportunities for women through sustainable measures and advocacy efforts. Having successfully organized the Women Entrepreneurs Academy elsewhere in the region, we are thrilled to have one for Malaysia in 2023.
“Women-owned businesses are not just good for the economy, but also for shaping a community. This is because when more women take the lead, they become role models to many others to take the same path. With P&G programs like this providing a support network and unlocking capability, we take a step towards equality and a level playing field for women,” said Priyali Kamath, Senior Vice President of Skin & Personal Care and Executive Sponsor, Equality & Inclusion, P&G Asia Pacific, Middle East & Africa.
Enabling the growth of women-owned businesses could increase the size of Singapore’s economy by as much as S$95 billion, about 20% of the GDP. Women own 20.6% of business entities in Malaysia and have contributed significantly to the country’s economy, creating over seven hundred thousand jobs.
“We are very pleased that this collaboration with P&G is driving positive change in the lives of women business owners in Singapore and Malaysia, by providing them with opportunities to build knowledge and skills and develop strong networks,” said Regional Director for Southeast Asia and Oceania, WEConnect International Mrinalini Venkatachalam
As part of P&G’s long-term commitment to equality and inclusion, P&G is working towards a more diverse supply network under a long-running initiative called the P&G Supplier Diversity Program. Since its inception in 2016, when it was known as the Women Entrepreneurs Development Program (WEDP), the P&G Women Entrepreneurs Academy has been conducted all over the world, in Malaysia, Singapore, and other countries in the region, including China, India, Japan, South Africa, and Indonesia. P&G’s focus on creating economic opportunities for women through sustainable measures and advocacy efforts is commendable and will pave the way for a more inclusive and diverse business environment.
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