Avon and the Avon Foundation for Women recently announced a new $200,000 grant to Vital Voices Global Partnership.
The grant will fund Voices Against Violence, an initiative which builds on Avon’s long-standing commitment to help women and girls live safe lives, free from violence. The donation marks the Avon Foundation’s tenth year partnering with Vital Voices, bringing its total funding for the NGO to over $4 million.
As part of its 2019 initiative, Voices Against Violence will convene NGOs, law enforcement agencies, service providers and other allied advocates to improve investigation, prosecution, victim safety and survivor support. The partnership is launching Voices Against Violence programs in Argentina, the Philippines and South Africa in 2019. Led by the Vital Voices Human Rights team and its network of experts from around the world, this program will:
- Encourage conversation: with a training program to help advocates, including Avon associates and Representatives, to support women and girls impacted by violence.
- Provide information: with the launch of a new website providing awareness and resources about gender-based violence
- Improve support: continuing to improve and enhance support by working to remove barriers for survivors in accessing justice and vital support services
The first summit of 2019 took place in Manila, Philippines in June, becoming the 52nd training program that Avon and the Avon Foundation have run with Vital Voices. The event convened local experts and dignitaries including the United States Ambassador to the Philippines, Sung Kim, and leaders from organizations such as the Philippine Commission on Women, the Philippine National Police and the Development Action for Women Network.
Amy Greene, chair of the Avon Foundation, said, “Avon has been championing women worldwide for more than 130 years. Voices Against Violence is one of the ways in which we’re tackling gender violence as part of stand4her, our program which aims to positively impact the lives of 100 million women around the world each year and create a better world for women. This new Foundation funding amplifies the power of our voice. It’s crucial that we open up the conversation about gender-based violence and open up partnerships and connection between the players that can make a tangible difference to women who are impacted.”
Since 2004, Avon and Avon Foundation for Women have contributed $65 million to help tackle gender violence around the world.
