ExxonMobil Foundation announced today that it will make an
additional $5 million in grants available to organizations dedicated
to improving education and opportunities for women and girls in
developing countries.
ExxonMobil's 2007 grants will bring the total commitment for its
Educating Women and Girls Initiative to $11.5 million since its
inauguration in 2005. ExxonMobil has a long tradition of social
contributions and investments in the communities where the company has
operations with over $100m in community and social development
programs in Africa since 2000. Projects funded by the Educating Women
and Girls Initiative help to reduce barriers that prevent girls from
attending school and provide women with training to start or improve
businesses and nonprofit organizations.
"We launched the Educating and Women and Girls Initiative because
an extensive body of research demonstrated that expanding education
and resources for women and girls is one of the most effective ways to
promote health and development," said Rex Tillerson, Chairman and
Chief Executive Officer, Exxon Mobil Corporation. "Now, we are
beginning to see the benefits of our earlier investments and are
taking steps to increase the reach and impact of our programs to
benefit even more women and girls."
The announcement of the new funding was made by Roberta Luxbacher,
ExxonMobil's Director of Europe Gas and Power Marketing, during the
Vital Voices Pan-African Leadership Summit in Cape Town, South Africa.
ExxonMobil is sponsoring 50 women and girls to attend this historic
summit. "Given ExxonMobil's long history in Africa, we understand the
value of expanding education and training of women and girls," said
Luxbacher. "As one of the largest direct foreign investors in Africa,
ExxonMobil understands it makes sense to foster economic growth and
improve health on the continent - it is good for our employees, our
neighbors and our customers."
"This level of private sector commitment is crucial to raising
awareness of issues affecting women worldwide," said Melanne Verveer,
chairman of the board of the Vital Voices Global Partnership.
"Public-private partnerships are necessary if we want to ensure full
participation of women in society."
World Bank studies confirm that programs directed at educating
women and girls yield a higher rate of return than any other community
investment available in the developing world. Educated women are
healthier and less likely to die in childbirth than women with little
or no schooling. The children of educated mothers are more likely to
have better nutrition and immunization rates and to live longer and
healthier lives. Educating women and girls has also been shown to help
improve sanitation, prevent the spread of HIV/AIDS, and improve
household incomes and economic growth.
Note to Editor
ExxonMobil has a long presence on the African continent and its
operations have made the company one of the largest private foreign
investors in Africa. The continent accounts for more than 25 percent
of ExxonMobil's net liquids production and is the largest growth area
in the company's production portfolio. ExxonMobil Foundation is the
primary philanthropic arm of Exxon Mobil Corporation. The Foundation
engages in a broad range of philanthropic activities focusing on the
communities where Exxon Mobil Corporation has significant operations.
During 2005, ExxonMobil, its affiliates and ExxonMobil Foundation
provided $133 million in charitable contributions and community
investment worldwide.
Vital Voices Global Partnership invests in emerging women leaders
- pioneers of economic, political, and social advancement in their
countries - and builds the capabilities, connections, and credibility
they need to unlock their potential as catalysts of global progress.
Through leadership development and local empowerment programs around
the world, Vital Voices works to expand women's roles in generating
economic opportunities, increasing political participation and
protecting human rights.
