Avon - The Company for Women - Corporate Responsibility

The Avon Foundation launched the Speak Out Against Domestic Violence program in 2004 to help end the cycle of domestic violence, and since that time the program has expanded globally, helping change the landscape of the domestic violence issue around the world. By 2009, Avon domestic violence and women's empowerment programs have launched in 45 countries worldwide.

Through 2008, in the United States more than $11 million has been awarded to nearly 400 U.S. domestic violence organizations for awareness, education, direct services and prevention programs,especially to assist children affected by domestic violence.

Domestic violence affects one in three women worldwide

Funds are raised through special events as well as the sale of fundraising products, such as a candle and bracelet, with all proceeds above cost of goods donated to the cause.

In March 2008, award-winning actress and Avon Foundation Honorary Chairman Reese Witherspoon joined with Avon Chairman and CEO Andrea Jung to introduce the company’s first global charity product, the Women’s Empowerment Bracelet, at Avon’s second International Women’s Day event at the United Nations, called the Global Summit for a Better Tomorrow.

All net profits from the bracelet sales benefit the Avon Women’s Empowerment Fund. The first $1 million raised was committed to the UN Trust Fund to End Violence Against Women, which is managed by UNIFEM, to bolster efforts to implement laws and policies that reduce violence against women.This represented the largest one-year corporate contribution to the Trust Fund. An additional $3 million from the Empowerment Bracelet sales have been awarded to local efforts to end violence against women in the countries in which funds are raised.

A new Women’s Empowerment fundraising necklace launched in spring 2009. To purchase the bracelet or new necklace, which is currently available, click here.

Co-sponsored by UNIFEM and Avon, the Global Summit for a Better Tomorrow marks International Women’s Day, and in 2008 the program focused on the tools and resources needed for women's empowerment around the world.

Several hundred attendees heard remarks from some of the most influential and accomplished leaders and advocates in the area of global women’s empowerment including: Lalita Krishnaswarmy, Chairperson of the Self Employed Women’s Association (SEWA) Co-operative Federation, a trade union and multi-service organization in Asia that empowers poor, primarily home-based women workers through its micro-credit and savings programs; Liliana Rainero, coordinator of the women’s rights organization CISCSA (Center of Subregional Exchange in the Southern Cone) and a UN Trust Fund grantee from Argentina who works to build safer communities and neighborhoods; Joanne Sandler, UNIFEM Executive Director; Andrea Jung, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Avon Products, Inc.; Reese Witherspoon, award-winning actress and Avon Global Ambassador; Suze Orman, personal-finance expert, TV host and best-selling author.

Also among the speakers and special guests at the Global Summit are selected global winners of the Avon Hello Tomorrow Fund, including Alpha Demmellash from the New Jersey and Gursel Cilingiroglu from Turkey. The Hello Tomorrow Fund is a unique grassroots program in which Avon provides cash awards to individuals in support of programs that empower women.

The 2009 program will focus on the issue of domestic violence and will take place in Washington, D.C. Click to learn more about the Global Summit for a Better Tomorrow.

Click to Enlarge PSA

Reese Witherspoon is also supporting the Avon Women’s Empowerment Campaign through a new print Public Service Announcement (PSA), which will be running pro bono in magazines in 2009 such as Good Housekeeping, Redbook, Cosmopolitan and Latina. The previous Avon Foundation PSA for the cause had featured award-winning actress and producer Salma Hayek, who partnered with the Avon Foundation on the launch of Speak Out in 2004.

The Avon Foundation has partnered with domestic violence organizations to create materials to educate the public, including a free educational DVD and informational brochures, which can be accessed at no cost at the Avon Foundation website. A free brochure is also included with every Speak Out product purchased.

In June 2008, Lauren Conrad, TV star, fashion designer and spokesperson for the Avon mark brand, launched mark’s girls’ m.powerment campaign in an effort to bring awareness to – and help educate – young women about the potential impact of abusive relationships in their lives. The Avon Foundation partnered with mark and Lauren to develop a target list of Domestic Violence agencies with model programs to educate young people on dating abuse, partner violence, and the hallmarks of healthy relationships Seven winners were selected by a committee of experts in the field to receive grants of up to $50,000 each. Recipients were announced by Lauren at the October 2008 Hope Honors, the Avon Foundation’s annual awards celebration in New York City.

mark™, the beauty and fashion boutique brand, supported the campaign through sales of a specially designed "Have a Heart" necklace offered in gold tone and silver tone, retailing for $22 with more than $20 donated to the campaign, which represents all net proceeds.