Source : Procurement Leaders
Walmart has launched a programme to provide training to women working for companies in its global supply chain.
The retail giant said its Women in Factories programme is designed to provide support for some 60,000 women working in factories that supply products to Walmart and other retailers.
The scheme, which is being implemented in collaboration with local NGOs, will teach communication, hygiene, reproductive health, occupational health and safety, in addition to helping workers identify personal strengths. The initiative will also see up to 8,000 women receiving leadership training.
The training and education programme is, according to Walmart, designed to help women at work, home and in their communities. The curriculum developed by the NGOs in consultation with Walmart Ethical Sourcing will be shared with other retailers to potentially implement within their supply chains.
"At Walmart, we know that there is perhaps no single issue more essential to the progress of our world than the progress of women. Through this programme, women in the supply chain will receive the education and training they need to achieve greater success in their jobs and live a better life," said Rajan Kamalanathan, vice president of Walmart Ethical Sourcing.
"We are proud to partner with local NGOs to implement this innovative program and provide new opportunities for the people and communities that are involved in the global supply chain."
The scheme will be rolled out to 150 factories in India, Bangladesh, China and Central America over the next five years, initially launching in Bangladesh and India in 2012.
The programme was designed and will be implemented in collaboration with CARE in Bangladesh and SWASTI in India.