Pro Mujer, a social enterprise that has been working for over 34 years to achieve gender equality in Latin America, and Nestlé México, a leading company in nutrition and health, announce a strategic partnership to integrate a gender perspective into the cocoa value chain in the state of Tabasco. This collaboration aims to improve the conditions of women in agriculture, initially focusing on cocoa, to extend to other agri-food chains.
Through this initiative, Nestlé México seeks to mainstream a gender perspective in its internal processes and promote more equitable participation of women cocoa producers in Tabasco, a commitment it will pursue with the support of Pro Mujer’s Gender Knowledge Lab.
Tabasco is considered the main cocoa-producing state, with the highest percentage of national production (SIAP). Women play a fundamental role in producing and conservating cocoa. Yet, they still face inequalities. 26% of the producers affiliated with Nestlé’s Cocoa Plan are women. Over the last 13 years, the percentage of women leading cocoa farms has increased by 25% (Aschoco). Despite these advancements, a gender productivity gap of 24% persists between men and women engaged in agriculture, attributable to discrimination, occupational segregation, and precarious working conditions (FAO).
This partnership gains significance in a context where over half (57.6%) of women in Tabasco were affected by the lack of access to social security in 2020 (CONEVAL), and there was an 8% increase in women’s participation in the informal sector in 2023 (ENOE).
The collaborative effort between Pro Mujer’s GKL and Nestlé México will focus on evaluating the company’s internal practices, specifically regarding including women in agricultural advisory roles and long-term retention. Additionally, through interviews, the cocoa communities and the unique challenges women producers face will be assessed to improve their integration and success in the industry.
This initiative not only underscores Nestlé’s leadership in responsible and sustainable business practices but also strengthens its market positioning by demonstrating a genuine commitment to women’s empowerment and gender equality.
“Our collaboration with Nestlé México marks a milestone in our commitment to empowering women in the cocoa industry and expanding their participation in value chains. This joint effort not only allows us to understand better the unique challenges women face in Tabasco but also to act effectively to improve their inclusion and success. We are excited to work with a very important partner who shares our vision of a future where women in Latin America thrive in all sectors of the economy,” said Carmen Correa, Pro Mujer’s CEO.
“At Nestlé, through the Cocoa Plan, we have worked for over 10 years to improve the quality of life and yields per hectare for cocoa farmers in Mexico. As a major cocoa buyer, we purchase nearly 20% of the national production. We are proud to have achieved a 70% increase in yields per hectare for the families participating in our program. We have trained over 3,500 local producers, distributed 1.6 million cocoa plants, and reclaimed more than 2,000 unproductive hectares. In 2022, 45% of the cocoa purchased by Nestlé was sourced through responsible sourcing practices,” said Javier León, Director of Corporate Affairs & ESG for Nestlé Mexico.
This initiative seeks to enhance women’s role in the agricultural sector and establish a replicable model for other value chains, significantly contributing to sustainable development and gender equality in the region.
About Pro Mujer
Pro Mujer is a non-profit social enterprise that for over 33 years has provided services and tools to women in Latin America so they can reach their full potential, improve their living conditions, and transform them into agents of change for their communities.
It operates through a holistic and integrated model that seeks to expand women’s access to health services in the region, increase their financial inclusion, and provide them with training opportunities.
Through a deep understanding of the most pressing needs faced by women in Latin America, Pro Mujer designs innovative programs that seek to address issues such as gender-based violence and the digital gender gap. Pro Mujer is a pioneer in the region in promoting and raising awareness about Gender Lens Investing as an effective mechanism to close gaps and boost company productivity.
Pro Mujer’s work is closely aligned with the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and offers tangible results in eight SDGs: 1, 3, 4, 5, 8, 10, 11, and 16.
More information at www.promujer.org.
About Nestlé México
Nestlé is the world’s largest food and beverage company. It operates in 187 countries, with 300,000 employees dedicated to Nestlé’s mission of enhancing quality of life and contributing to a healthier future. Nestlé offers a wide range of products and services for people and their pets throughout their lives. Its portfolio of over 2,000 brands includes global icons and local favorites. The company’s performance is driven by its strategy focused on nutrition, health, and wellness. Nestlé is headquartered in Vevey, Switzerland, where it was founded over 150 years ago. With a 90-year presence in Mexico, Nestlé is also the country’s leading company in Nutrition, Health, and Wellness, supported by 32 global Research Centers, 18 factories in 7 states, and 16 distribution centers, creating 13,000 jobs. Visit: www.nestle.com.mx
