Amplifying the voices of women

When it comes to creating a better tomorrow, as our sustainability ambition goes, we mean a better tomorrow for everyone. We believe that everybody has the right to opportunities, education, social and financial safety – regardless of background or gender. Empowering women in communities that deserve better chances creates a shared belief and a better future.

As change does not happen overnight, we have been partnering with organizations, and investing in helping women improve their livelihoods and those of their families in several communities where we are present.

Two of the shining examples are the SHAKTI initiative in India and the Women's Entrepreneur Program in Ecuador.

Starting in 2021, our Bekaert India team partnered with a local NGO, Pradeept Bharat, to enhance the education and empowerment of girls in underprivileged communities. The focus is currently on helping girls from the Katkari tribe, one of the particularly vulnerable tribal groups in India. The program aims to provide opportunities for the young women of this community to learn skills, breaking down the social and economic barriers and making them more financially independent. 

The Women's Entrepreneur Program, launched by Ideal Alambrec Bekaert in 2021. It provides business and other skills training, mentoring, and other assets to help women entrepreneurs improve their livelihoods, families and communities. In the first year, the program already helped the lives of 33 wives and mothers of our employees. 

The six-month program has two phases. The first three months are about designing a business plan while in the next phase, the participants learn about marketing and social networks.