Celebrating International Women's Day, this article highlights the contributions of five women in Asia Pacific to the coffee industry. It focuses on the BENTANI programme, a collaboration between Mercy Corps and The Starbucks Foundation, which empowers women in coffee communities in Indonesia. One notable story is that of Endah, a coffee farmer's wife who, with the programme's help, has gained skills in financial management and entrepreneurship. She has improved her family's income through a village store and introduced cascara, a product made from coffee shells, to the market. The programme has supported over 3,500 women, enhancing the lives of more than 11,000 coffee farmers and their families by promoting women's active participation in the industry and community development.
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