Pune, May 3, 2024 – Bridgestone India has been awarded prestigious accolades at the 16th Global CSR & ESG Summit & Awards 2024, earning a Platinum for the Empowerment of Women Award and a Gold for Excellence in Provision of Literacy & Education. The accolades recognize the company’s significant contributions to gender equality and community development through its innovative CSR initiatives.
The celebrated programs include a driver training initiative for women, which has empowered participants from Indore, Dhar, and Pune to pursue careers in driving, challenging gender norms and societal expectations. In 2023 alone, 206 women completed the training, enhancing their earning potential and catering to the demand for female drivers, particularly among female commuters, families, and the elderly.
Another notable project, focused on rural entrepreneurship near Bridgestone’s Chakan, Pune plant, has seen over 50 women trained in business self-reliance. These women have embarked on ventures such as producing children’s clothing, festive items, and accessories, with Bridgestone assisting in establishing corporate supplier contracts.
These initiatives are part of a broader commitment by Bridgestone Asia Pacific, India, China (BSAPIC) to support community development across the region, which also includes educational programs like the “Green IT Classroom” in China and vocational training programs in Indonesia and Australia.
Hiroshi Yoshizane, Managing Director of Bridgestone India, highlighted the company’s dedication to empowering women. “Bridgestone is committed to gender equality and supports the Women’s Empowerment Principles. Our efforts in empowering women financially and educationally are central to our community outreach, and receiving global recognition for these efforts is a great honor,” said Yoshizane.
The 16th Annual Global CSR & ESG Summit & Awards is one of Asia’s premier platforms for recognizing outstanding CSR and ESG achievements. This year, the event saw over 250 entries competing across 20 categories, underscoring the high standards and commitment of participating organizations to ethical practices and community welfare.
