March 8, 2017, New Delhi: The Avon Foundation for Women, the world’s largest corporate-affiliated philanthropy focused on issues that matter most to women, has today pledged its largest single donation, nearly £2 million, for female victims of gender-based violence. £1 million of these funds will be granted across four countries, to help frontline domestic violence services.
In addition, nearly £1 million grant to Vital Voices Global Partnership will support ‘The Justice Institute on Gender-Based Violence’, an innovative training programme which aims to facilitate effective coordinated criminal justice responses to addressing violence against women in countries around the world. This donation forms part of Avon’s commitment to ending domestic violence and supporting survivors worldwide, and marks the launch of a new global Avon campaign focused on a range of issues of importance to women over the coming years. In 2016, AVON India facilitated a three-day training from September 9-11, which brought together international and local experts on domestic violence and sexual violence laws to engage participants and educate them on the importance and implementation of these laws.
Combating Global Domestic Violence
As an official partner of International Women’s Day, Avon is committed to speaking out against domestic violence and supporting the #BeBoldForChange global initiative.
Globally, Avon has been addressing social issues that matter most to women for over 130 years. The new UK research reflects wider insights gathered across other countries in which Avon is active. It will be shared with an influential audience made up of global experts and stakeholders working to combat domestic violence.
Funding Commitments
Since Avon was founded more than 130 years ago, the company has been breaking barriers and empowering women by offering a path to financial independence and improved health and safety. This year’s International Women’s Day focuses on the #BeBoldForChange initiative, and as part of this, Avon Foundation for Women’s global commitment includes:
- The Avon Foundation’s grant of £1 million for frontline services in the UK, South Africa, Romania and Argentina. In the UK, this includes a grant of £250,000 to Refuge to support its frontline services, which will fund the equivalent of over 4,800 nights in a refuge for a woman and her children.
- Globally, nearly £1 million in new funding will expand The Justice Institute on Gender-Based Violence, an innovative training programme within Voices Against Violence – a public-private partnership between Vital Voices Global Partnership, the U.S. Department of State, and the Avon Foundation for Women – which aims to facilitate effective, coordinated criminal justice responses to addressing violence against women in countries around the world.
- The Justice Institute is a ground-breaking initiative which convenes judges, court officers, prosecutors, law enforcement officers, representatives of government agencies and non-governmental service providers with the aim of making the laws keep their promise. Through its multi-disciplinary training style, the Institute fosters collaboration between allied professionals and seeks to improve both victim protection efforts and criminal justice responses to violence against women around the world.
- To date, the Avon Foundation has invested more than £2 million to launch and convene 10 Justice Institutes in eight countries including India, Argentina, Brazil, Colombia, Mexico, Nepal, Philippines and South Africa.
Sheri McCoy, Avon CEO says, “To date, Avon and the Avon Foundation for Women have contributed more than $1 billion to causes that matter most to women. This new landmark donation from The Avon Foundation builds on a legacy of work to speak out against domestic violence and support victims around the world. Since 2004, the Avon Foundation’s ‘Speak Out Against Domestic Violence’ initiative has been a powerful voice for women, with programmes in 50 countries. We have already served 11 million women, educated 29 million about domestic violence, and contributed nearly $60 million to empowerment programmes. This new donation expands our impact further the will make a significant difference to NGOs supporting women in need of help.”