Avon Speak Out Against Domestic Violence

Avon Speak Out Against Domestic Violence. Globally it is believed that one in three women will be the victim of domestic violence in their lifetime, which is why makeup brand Avon are pledging almost £50 million to support a range of programmes.

The Avon Foundation for Women launched the Avon Speak Out Against Domestic Violence program in 2004 and since then it has not only built awareness for the formerly taboo subject but also educated many women as well as developing and implementing prevention and direct service programmes.

Some of these projects are global, focused on ending gender-based violence and strengthening domestic violence laws.

Currently the UK Avon Foundation has supported domestic violence programs in three core areas:

Avon supports UK domestic violence charities Refuge and Women’s Aid as well as international charity UNIFEM. As the company for women, Avon works closely with these partners to raise vital funds for life-saving services, lobby the government for change and break down the silence surrounding domestic violence by consistently raising awareness of the issue.

With an emphasis on action and partnership, Avon teamed up with domestic violence charity Refuge in 2009 to launch Four Ways To Speak Out, an easy, practical guideline to help put an end to domestic abuse:

Speak to the government: sign our petition
• Speak out to save lives: buy and wear Avon’s empowerment jewellery
• Speak to your local community: display our poster
• Speak to your friends and family: ask them to join our campaign

In 2010, Avon joined forces with national domestic violence charity, Women’s Aid, and popular consumer magazine, Marie Claire, to honor inspirational women in the UK at the first-ever Avon and Women’s Aid Empowering Women Awards.

Recognising the inspirational achievements and incredible bravery of women survivors of domestic violence and those who work and campaign to support victims of abuse, the awards saw a panel of high profile judges including Avon Global ambassador Reese Witherspoon, Avon UK President Anna Segatti, Women’s Aid ambassador Sarah Brown, Women’s Aid ambassador Tana Ramsay, Women’s Aid chief executive Nicola Harwin and Marie Claire editor Trish Halpin select the winners for three different categories.

In June, the Woman Survivor of the Year, Marie Claire Campaigner Against Domestic Violence and the Grass Roots Hero of 2016 were announced at the awards ceremony at The Dorchester Hotel in London. VIPs included Women’s Aid ambassador Sarah Brown, and supporters Fay Ripley and Beverley Knight, who also presented awards at the exclusive event.

The Avon Foundation for Women

Since 1955, the Avon Foundation for Women has promoted or aided charitable, scientific, educational and humanitarian activities, with a special emphasis on those activities that improve the lives of women and their families.

The organisation’s efforts to eradicate breast cancer and end domestic and gender violence worldwide have helped move these issues out of the shadows and into the public dialogue.

To date, Avon and the Avon Foundation for Women have contributed more than £1 billion to causes that matter most to women.