Water and Women: Creating Change Together

Water is a connector. It’s a life-giver. It improves health, empowers women and strengthens communities.

Water is a critical and valuable resource. Convenient access to safe drinking water not only improves the health of the community, but also provides economic opportunities for entrepreneurs.

Since 2005, Coca-Cola and its foundations have replenished 150 billion liters of water to communities and the environment. Access to water means less time women and girls spend walking to fill jugs. Access to water also brings new employment opportunities through new businesses related to agricultural opportunities or even water kiosks where safe water access is managed for the community. Women who no longer transport water for their families can spend time learning entrepreneurial skills to run businesses... and provide for their families in a different way.

To illustrate the impact access to water can have on women entrepreneurs, as well as the impact they can make on their families and communities, this new film introduces you to three women who have benefited from Coca-Cola’s 5by20 initiative and water programs.

You’ll meet:

• Geetha, a mother, wife and mango farmer in Chittoor, India. “When I look at my farm, I feel very proud,” she said. “I want to hand over this to my children as a huge farm in the future.”
• Sofia, a mother, student and tree nursery manager in La Primavera, Mexico. “As a female entrepreneur, I feel very happy,” she said. “And I can say with pride that I have my own business.”
• Elizabeth, a mother and water kiosk manager in Naivasha, Kenya. “My business has helped my children a lot: educating, feeding and clothing them,” she said. “I am very proud as a woman.”

These three women share in the film how access to water and business skills have transformed their lives. They now have livelihoods, increased self confidence and dreams for the future.

And it doesn’t stop there. Each woman is contributing to her family and helping mentor other women business owners. She’s creating change within herself and is a part of what we call “the ripple effect,” strengthening her community.