Joining hands

To celebrate International Women's Day on March 8, Avon Products, Inc, a leading global beauty company with almost $10 billion in annual revenue and the United Nations Development Fund for Women (UNIFEM), dedicated to advancing the cause of women around the world, have announced their public-private partnership to promote women's empowerment and end violence against women.

Avon is committing $1 million to the UNIFEM-managed UN Trust Fund to End Violence against Women. The contribution will be made through the Avon Empowerment Fund, which was launched as part of the new Avon-UNIFEM partnership.    

The partnership will expand the work of the UN to enhance women's economic security and rights.

"For more than 120 years, Avon has empowered women across the globe by providing them the opportunity to own their own business and achieve economic independence. We believe that by empowering women, we can help change the world and this commitment is imprinted on everything we do," says Andrea Jung, Chairman and CEO of Avon. "Working together we will continue this important agenda and create an even better future for women, for families and ultimately society at large."

The UN Trust Fund is in its 11th year of operation and to date has distributed nearly $18 million to 250 programs addressing violence against women in more than 120 countries. The fund has a special focus on increasing legal literacy and working with judicial, legal and law enforcement agencies to increase the awareness of regulations to curb violence against women.

"We welcome Avon, the company for women, as an engaged and long-term partner, helping UNIFEM fulfill the mission to advance women's empowerment and gender equality," Joanne Sandler, UNIFEM executive director, says. "This partnership brings a strong global leader in the private sector as a stalwart ally in our common efforts. Together, we can reach a broad international constituency, which is essential to advance women globally and make ending violence against women a top priority."

One of Avon's most successful tools in advancing women's rights is the Hello Tomorrow Fund that provides financial awards to individuals whose initiative both advances the interests of women and improves society. Its programs range from promoting the career development of women university students in Shanghai, to helping victims of domestic violence rebuild their lives in the United States.

At a recent Avon summit, the global winners of the Avon Hello Tomorrow Fund shared their experiences and ideas.

"I came to know that women will have to encounter numerous challenges in their lifetime," says Chen Ye, representative of the Chinese winners of the Avon Hello Tomorrow Fund. "To increase the attention and awareness of women development is, at a deeper level, to promote social progress. That is where Hello Tomorrow Award plays its role."

Chen adds: "Inspired by Hello Tomorrow I am deeply convinced that with the concerted efforts of Avon and many committed individuals and organizations, women across the world will be able to embrace a better tomorrow."

"Being part of the Hello Tomorrow Fund is a constant reminder to me of how much true greatness resides in the hearts of so many. The desire for women to want to be true architects of change is so obvious with every single proposal that I read," says Suze Orman, a US Hello Tomorrow Fund judge.

Fundraising bracelet

To help raise awareness and funds, Avon Global Ambassador and Hollywood movie star Reese Witherspoon unveiled Avon's first global fundraising product at the summit, the Women's Empowerment Bracelet.

"One out of every three women in the world is affected by domestic violence," says Witherspoon. "It's difficult for each one of us to pause in our daily lives and think about what we might do to improve the condition of women everywhere. As individuals, it's almost impossible for us to be effective, but together, we can change the world. Wearing this bracelet is a way to support efforts to save and improve women's lives worldwide; every purchase will help empower women."

"Avon has been committed to supporting women for more than 120 years, and as a company for women, we truly believe that empowering women will change the world," says Jung. "The Women's Empowerment Bracelet represents infinite possibilities for all women, and we hope that women around the world will join us in a show of solidarity by wearing it."

The Avon Women's Empowerment Bracelet will be available as of March 4, priced at $3 in the US, exclusively through the more than 5 million Avon representatives worldwide, with 100 percent of net profits donated to the Avon Empowerment Fund. The sleek periwinkle blue stretch-cord bracelet features a silver-toned infinity symbol, a powerful statement representing a future with infinite opportunities for women.

In 2008, the Avon Foundation will match the first $500,000 in bracelet sales for a total donation of $1 million for new grants by the UN Trust Fund.

(China Daily 03/10/2008 page8)