The retail giant has announced the launch of a new five-year programme: Women in Factories. The initiative aims to train 60,000 women working in its suppliers’ factories in China, India, Bangladesh and Central American.

Presentation of the “Women in Factories” initiative

The goal of the initiative is to support the women’s personal and professional development, and the training will include communication, hygiene, and health as well as helping the women to identify personal strengths and gender sensitivity. In addition, 8,000 women will receive leadership and business development training.

Implemented in conjunction with local NGOs, the initiative should improve the performance of Wal-mart’s subsidiaries, according to Vice President of Wal-mart Home, Michelle Gloeckler. “By educating and empowering women in factories and creating a stronger supply chain, suppliers realise greater efficiencies in their factories, which should result in higher quality products, lower prices and more reliable product availability for customers,” she explained.

Wal-mart currently operates in 27 countries through 69 different chains and with a network of 10,130 retailers. For 2012, group sales of 339 billion euros (444 billion dollars) are anticipated.