EMPOWERING WOMEN
THE CARTIER WOMEN’S INITIATIVE CELEBRATES ITS 15TH ANNIVERSARY WITH A WORLD REUNION ALONGSIDE THE LAUNCH OF THE INAUGURAL SPEAKER SERIES, WRITES
Since its inception in 2006, the Cartier Women’s Initiative has united a diverse community of 262 women impact entrepreneurs from 62 nations.
These extraordinary women have dedicated their professions to addressing social and environmental issues, sparking revolutionary change and innovative problem-solving. Around USD 6,440,000 ( RM 27,073,760) in prize money has suppor ted these enterprises devoted to solving some of the most urgent global challenges.
World Reunion
Af ter 15 years of succession, the Car tier Women’s I nitiative World Reunion was held in Dubai to celebrate the extraordinary achievements of the women leveraging business as a force for good. Nine former fellows were honoured for the persistent impac t their business has had.
The Impact Awards encompasses three categories, including improving lives, preser ving the planet, and creating oppor tunities, with the lat ter rooting in the foundation laid by the United Nations Sustainable Development goals.
Temie Giwa-Tubosun from Nigeria is among the nine former fellows recognised for improving lives through LifeBank. LifeBank is a medical distribution company that uses data and technology to discover and deliver essential medical products to hospitals in Nigeria like blood and oxygen.
Joining her is South African Nneka Mobisson, the creator of mDoc, a mobile platform that provides people living with chronic diseases with 24/7 access to vir tual healthcare providers. Rasha Rady of Egypt is the third-place awardee for
CHEFAA, an AI-powered, GPS-enabled digital platform to help patients order, schedule, and refill their recurring medicines regardless of location or income.
A champion of environmental preservation, Charlotte Wang of China has been awarded first place for EQuota, an energy optimisation company that combines artificial intelligence and big data to deliver energy efficiency solutions.
Australian Joanne Howarth also received recognition or pioneering green packaging solutions. Planet Protector Packaging manufactures environmentally responsible insulated packaging made from sheep waste wool transporting temperature-sensitive goods. Lorna Rutto of Kenya also gains recognition for her work with EcoPost. She creates an environmentally friendly alternative to timber by using plastic waste to manufacture durable fencing posts.
Fariel Salahuddin of Pakistan takes first place in the category for creating opportunities for her work with UpTrade, which offers a bartering service enabling off-grid rural communities to exchange livestock for solar-powered water pumps and home systems. Carmina Bayombong of the Philippines receives commendation for InvestEd, an investment platform providing student loans to underserved youth using a proprietary credit rating algorithm.
Carol Chyau of China takes the final award for her work through Shokay. She produces clothes and accessories for children, home furnishings and yarn using yak fibre purchased directly from herders around the region.
In 2022, Car tier continues to reaf firm its commitment to suppor t impact entrepreneurship in Southeast Asia through the Car tier Women’s Initiative. The ef for ts incorporate a wide array of engagement activities, sparking meaningful conversations around f emale empowerment while offering oppor tunities for individual guidance to potential applicants of the Car tier Women’s Initiative across the region.
“We are committed to suppor ting incredible i deas and dreams, where women in the region can find support, connect with one another, and achieve visibility. We welcome women change-makers f rom around Southeast Asia to l end your