The initiative is part of Avon’s fight against gender-based violence during the nationwide lockdowns around the world, themed: You are isolated not alone.
The Global Peace Index statistics show that that the violence in South Africa is similar to countries at war or in conflict, there were 2 930 women murdered in 2017/2018.
Avon Justine through its Global Avon Foundation has made a pledge of R1.4 million to fund organisations that are at the frontline of the fight against domestic abuse and gender-based violence.
“Most victims and survivors of gender-based violence are facing the terrifying reality of being locked behind closed with their abusers without any avenue of relief or escape due to restrictions on movement imposed by the nationwide lockdown.
The isolation that comes with the nationwide lockdown has the unintended consequences of breeding and incubating domestic violence as perpetrators of violence can carry out these heinous deeds unhindered behind closed doors.
As a company for women, we wish to reaffirm our commitment to the fight against gender- based violence. With this financial commitment we are reasserting our commitment to work with like-minded partners to free women and girls from the clutches of misogyny and toxic masculinity,” says Mafahle Mareletse, Managing Director: Avon Turkey, Middle East and Africa.
The R1.4m Avon Justine is earmarked for its current NGO partners, these organisations include Saartjie Baartman Centre for Women and Children, People Opposing Women Abuse, Tears, Llitha Labantu and Lawyers against Abuse.
Avon has a long-standing history of fighting gender-based violence.
To date Avon has raised and donated over R7 million in South Africa to NGOs fighting gender-based violence. Avon’s flagship anti-gender-based violence initiative, Speak Out Against Domestic Violence has served 11 million women and educated 29 million women about domestic violence.
Image (Mafahle Mareletse, Managing Director: Avon Turkey, Middle East and Africa).
