Nestlé Vietnam Champions Gender Equality Through Strategic Community Initiatives
Nestlé Vietnam is reinforcing its commitment to gender equality and female economic empowerment through a series of initiatives aimed at elevating women’s roles both in business and society. The company has partnered with key stakeholders, including the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (MARD), to implement impactful training and capacity-building programs across the country.
At a recent forum titled “Promoting Economic Empowerment for Women in Agriculture and Rural Areas,” jointly hosted by Nestlé Vietnam, the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC), and MARD, industry leaders spotlighted the pivotal role women play in sustainable agriculture and rural development. The event brought together policymakers, private sector players, and non-governmental organizations to share strategies on fostering gender-responsive value chains in Vietnam’s agri-food sector.
Since 2020, Nestlé Vietnam has been actively involved in the project “Gender-Responsive and Inclusive Coffee Value Chains” in the Central Highlands. Implemented under the framework of Nestlé’s Nescafé Plan, the program focuses on enhancing women’s participation in farm decision-making and income-generating activities. With support from the Sustainable Trade Initiative (IDH), the model has directly supported over 1,500 female farmers, equipping them with agricultural knowledge, financial literacy, and leadership skills.
Nestlé Vietnam’s Managing Director, Binu Jacob, affirmed that empowering women is central to the company’s Creating Shared Value strategy. “We believe advancing gender equality is not only the right thing to do, but also essential to building more sustainable and resilient communities,” Jacob stated.
In addition to its agricultural efforts, Nestlé Vietnam is also promoting gender diversity within its operations. Nearly half of its managerial positions are held by women, reflecting the company’s broader commitment to inclusive workplace policies and equal career advancement opportunities.
By integrating gender equality into both its value chains and corporate culture, Nestlé Vietnam is positioning itself as a driving force in sustainable business practices across the FMCG value chain. Its collaborative, multi-stakeholder approach offers a scalable model for other FMCG players seeking to deepen social impact while reinforcing supply chain resilience.