Furthering its commitment to helping those in need, The Avon Foundation for Women has announced $1 million in grants to 50 frontline services and charity organisations across the world.
The emergency grant programme was launched in tandem with Avon’s #IsolatedNotAlone campaign, responding to the surge in domestic violence cases in the wake of the coronavirus lockdown.
The funding will provide crucial support for over 250,000 at-risk women and children who are affected by rapidly rising domestic abuse rates. The grants will be shared across 37 countries including Brazil, Mexico, India, Philippines, Germany and the UK.
Helping women who have no escape during the pandemic
The funding is aligned with Avon’s campaign to help tackle the crisis of domestic violence surging as a result of abusers who are locked inside together with their partners during the Covid-19 pandemic. Some examples of how the funds will be put to use include:
- In the UK, domestic abuse charity Women’s Aid will receive $50,000 USD to fund their digital support services
- In Mexico, funds will help the National Shelter Network provide access to resources and immediate protection for around 3,000 women and children
- In India, the Family Planning Association, will receive $40,000 USD allowing them to provide essential services in rural communities across the country
Calling on governments worldwide
Avon is also calling on governments around the world to keep domestic violence front of mind and expand funding and resources to cope with increasing violence.
“Avon has been supporting women for 130 years and our support is needed now more than ever. With this new Avon Foundation-funding we can help make a valuable difference to the lives of at-risk women and children across the globe who urgently need protection from domestic abuse," says Natalie Deacon, President, Avon Foundation for Women.
“Avon has been supporting NGOs tackling gender-based violence for 15 years and the need has never been so acute. We are proud to be able to contribute and support Avon’s #IsolatedNotAlone campaign to respond to the spike in violence triggered by the coronavirus pandemic."
Assisting in many additional ways
Avon’s Representatives will continue to provide vital assistance for women and children who are experiencing abuse; embedding helpline and support information into catalogues, signposting where to get help, and donating vital personal hygiene and beauty products to refuges.
More widely, Avon has repurposed production lines to manufacture personal care products needed most by health care and front-line workers, including moisturising hand gel. Hundreds of thousands of care packs with hand gel and other supplies have been donated to local hospitals and front-line services across the world.
Work for a company that cares about women
The emergency grants and Isolated Not Alone are just two of many examples of how Avon demonstrates its support for women.
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Disclosure: Where Women Work researches and publishes insightful evidence about how its paid member organizations support women's equality.