BSR Insight | Coca-Cola Announces US$6 Million Investment in Clean Water Programs
According to the World Health Organization, African women and children spend up to 40 billion hours per year collecting water. Because they often travel long distances to retrieve clean water, women frequently resort to using unsafe water sources, putting themselves and their families at risk of life-threatening diseases.
Last month, the Coca-Cola Company and the Coca-Cola Africa Foundation announced a US$6 million commitment to support water and sanitation programs that have the potential to improve the lives of about 250,000 women and girls in 12 African countries. Recognizing the impact of women’s health on the community at large, Coca-Cola Chairman and CEO Muhtar Kent said:
"Supporting initiatives that promote access to water for women and girls is a building block for community health, with a ripple effect on social and economic empowerment. This is a win-win for everyone."
—Muhtar Kent, chairman and CEO, the Coca-Cola Company (March 22, 2011)
To learn more about the benefits of investing in women, read BSR's "Women and Sustainability" research series or contact Racheal Yeager.
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