Mondelez International Advances Gender Equity with Women Empowerment Program in the Philippines
Mondelez International is strengthening its commitment to workplace inclusivity with its latest women empowerment initiative in the Philippines. Building on years of diversity and inclusion efforts, the program aims to address gender equity through community programs and internal employee development, aligning with the company’s global sustainability and equity goals.
Launched in 2021, Mondelez’s Women Empowerment Program targets economically disadvantaged women, supporting them in acquiring entrepreneurial and soft skills to become self-reliant income earners. The initiative partners with strategic organizations, including Bayan Academy and EchoStore, to deliver capability-building workshops that focus on business development, marketing, and wellness. Since inception, over 335 women have participated in the program, with many launching or improving their small enterprises.
This year, the initiative centers on women from Metro Manila’s underserved communities. Participants undergo extensive training in financial literacy, business planning, and personal development. EchoStore complements the training with expertise in sustainable and inclusive entrepreneurship practices. Additionally, graduates are connected to markets to help sustain their businesses.
Internally, Mondelez Philippines continues to foster leadership diversity through mentorship and employee development. The company has set a target for 50% female representation in management roles by 2025. Today, 47% of its leadership team consists of women, reflecting measurable progress toward inclusive leadership.
“Promoting equity means addressing existing barriers so that everyone, especially women, can thrive. This focus is not just the right thing to do—it strengthens the communities we serve and the business we lead,” said Aleli Arcilla, Managing Director of Mondelez Philippines.
Globally, Mondelez International has embedded diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) as a pillar of its growth strategy, with particular focus on women’s empowerment as part of its broader sustainability platform. Localized programs like the Philippines initiative allow the company to tailor impact to regional needs while reinforcing global commitments.
For FMCG professionals, this initiative signifies the increasing importance of embedding social responsibility into core business strategies—not only to meet ESG benchmarks but to drive long-term community engagement and workforce retention. Mondelez’s model highlights how purpose-led action can deliver measurable societal and business outcomes.