Boyner Group and UNDP Türkiye partner to empower young women through She LAB
What: Boyner Group and UNDP Türkiye launch She LAB, a comprehensive sustainability leadership program targeting 250 young women across Turkey, combining practical skills development with environmental awareness.
Why it is important: This strategic partnership demonstrates how retailers can combine talent development with sustainability goals, creating a pipeline of skilled leaders while addressing the industry's pressing need for environmental innovation and gender diversity.
The She LAB program, a groundbreaking collaboration between Boyner Group and UNDP Türkiye, marks a significant advancement in retail leadership development. The initiative's inaugural session has attracted 83 young women from 19 provinces across Turkey, forming part of a larger cohort that will reach 250 participants. Selected from an impressive pool of 2,540 applicants, these junior and senior undergraduates and graduate students will engage in a comprehensive three-month curriculum.
The program features 23 online sessions led by industry experts, covering crucial areas such as personal development, gender sensitivity, active citizenship, and strategic decision-making. Beyond theoretical learning, participants will benefit from practical experiences through mentorship, internships, and job shadowing opportunities. The initiative's impact is amplified by the involvement of award-winning actress Merve Dizdar, who volunteers her support through the project's promotional film, emphasizing the transformative power of women in creating global change.
IADS Notes: The launch of Boyner Group's She LAB program in January 2025 represents a timely response to the evolving retail landscape's focus on women's empowerment and sustainability leadership. This initiative aligns with significant industry developments, as evidenced by BCG's December 2024 research revealing a USD 32 trillion opportunity in women-focused products and services.
The program's emphasis on developing future women leaders in sustainability mirrors successful industry models, such as Falabella's October 2024 Active Woman initiative, which demonstrated a 30% growth in women's retail engagement. Furthermore, the partnership approach with UNDP Türkiye follows the pattern of successful corporate responsibility initiatives, exemplified by Macy's May 2024 USD 5 billion Mission Every One platform. The recognition of female retail leadership, as seen in Ms. Supaluck Umpuj's UNFPA Thailand award in September 2024, underscores the industry's growing commitment to empowering women in leadership roles.
