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PepsiCo’s commitment to empowering female entrepreneurs in the Middle East and North Africa region has taken a significant step forward with the return of the Women Innovators (Win) Fellowship’s second cohort. Launched in Saudi Arabia in 2022 through a partnership between the Atlantic Council and Georgetown University, with support from the US Embassy in Riyadh, and PepsiCo, the Win Fellowship aims to foster women’s economic participation, entrepreneurship, and leadership in the region.Princess Reema’s Commendation and Vision for Women EmpowermentPrincess Reema bint Bandar, Saudi Arabia’s Ambassador to the US, commended the success of the inaugural program during her opening remarks. She emphasized the importance of support for women’s entrepreneurship, stating that a more inclusive and equitable society would lead to genuine advancement for all. As Saudi Arabia undergoes a substantial socioeconomic transformation under Vision 2030, women’s empowerment is a cornerstone of the country’s current changes.Significant Progress in Women’s Workforce ParticipationUS Ambassador to Saudi Arabia, Michael Ratney, highlighted the remarkable progress in Saudi women’s workforce participation. The original target of achieving 30 percent female workforce participation by 2030 has already been surpassed, with the Kingdom currently at 37 percent. The tech sector, in particular, has seen impressive representation, with a third of it comprised of women—higher than Silicon Valley’s ratio.Women’s Involvement in Key SectorsDena Elkhatib, General Counsel for Riyadh Air, shared her experience of integrating women into the aviation sector, where they have made significant strides as engineers, pilots, and air traffic controllers. At King Abdullah University of Science and Technology, women’s participation in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) fields stands at around 39 percent, well above the global average. Entrepreneurship programs have also seen strong female engagement, with women founders excelling and outperforming men in various activities.Allyship and Mentorship: Breaking Boundaries and Fostering SupportElkhatib stressed the importance of allyship, where individuals from diverse backgrounds support and lift each other regardless of gender. She advocated for viewing individuals at the table as people, not defined by gender, and emphasized the value of mentorship without gender specificity. Breaking boundaries and creating friendships among diverse allies can further promote women’s involvement in various fields.Women Innovators Fellowship: Developing Leaders of TomorrowThe Women Innovators Fellowship aims to equip Saudi women entrepreneurs with the necessary skills and networks to scale their businesses at local, regional, and global levels. The year-long program, running from June 2023 to March 2024, will provide 34 women entrepreneurs with practical knowledge, US-Saudi relationships, and business ties. Through this initiative, PepsiCo continues its dedication to empowering women in the MENA region and contributing to the overall economic prosperity of the area.
