ExxonMobil Women's Economic Opportunity Initiative

In 2008, ExxonMobil launched a $1.5 million project with Vital Voices to empower women in Africa to become leaders and advocates.

The ExxonMobil Women’s Economic Opportunity Initiative is a global effort launched in 2005 that helps women in developing countries fulfill their economic potential and drive economic and social change in their communities.

Research demonstrates that investing in the education, training and leadership of women delivers high returns in terms of economic and social development, including: lower infant and child mortality rates; disease prevention; higher income and productivity rates; and broader economic growth. Healthy and educated communities in which all citizens have the opportunity to play a valuable and productive role help create a stable and prosperous environment for businesses to work in. Preparing women to participate competitively in the economy allows companies, including ours, to have access to the best talent for employee recruitment and supply chain development, regardless of gender.

We are focused on three key strategies to improve women’s economic opportunities globally:

• Build the next generation of female business leaders and entrepreneurs
• Reduce barriers to women’s economic participation
• Help identify and deploy technologies for women

The ExxonMobil Foundation has committed grants totaling more than US$20 million. Our country affiliates play an integral role in shaping our investments by ensuring that our projects align with national needs and governmental priorities. We have supported in-country projects in Angola, Chad, Colombia, Egypt, Equatorial Guinea, Indonesia, Kazakhstan, Malaysia, Nigeria, Qatar and Thailand and enabled women from 64 developing countries to participate in leadership and skills development programs. These programs have reached thousands of women directly, who have subsequently trained thousands of other women in their communities.