"The horrific statistics dictated that we significantly increase our efforts to help end gender-based violence in the country," said Vicky Saunders-Flaherty, Avon Justine PR, internal communications & corporate affairs officer.
According to the Medical Research Council (MRC), in South Africa a woman is killed every eight hours by her male intimate partner. In addition a study by MRC suggests that in many parts of the country one in every two women is directly affected by violence with further research indicating that as many as 28% of men have admitted to having perpetrated rape. The latest South African Police Services (SAPS) crime report 2011/12 indicates that sexual offences account for more than 9% of all crimes, with over 127 000 cases reported.
People Opposing Women Abuse (POWA), an existing Avon beneficiary, has always been of the viewpoint that the SAPS crime report did not accurately reflect the severity of the situation as many, if not most, incidents are not reported. The Tears Foundation believes that in South Africa every 25 seconds a woman or girl is raped. "Media reports of rape incidents this year alone illustrate just how severe the situation is, therefore we needed to act immediately to bolster our efforts in our campaign to end violence against women," added Saunders-Flaherty.
The Tears Foundation's mission is to assist in transforming the unique culture of abuse that prevails in South Africa. Sadly, that culture means that for many, rape and abuse is not seen as a crime but as a normal daily occurrence. "The result of that culture is the national catastrophe we see today and being named the rape capital of the world," said Mara Glennie, founder of Tears. Tears is working on a nationally accessible network resource for victims of rape and sexual abuse. A first in South Africa, the resource will be available freely to all women through their mobile phone or computer. "Most women don't know what to do when they are abused. This resource will provide them with a list of professionals closest to them that they can receive help from, including doctors, non-governmental organisations (NGOs), counsellors and psychiatrists," said Glennie. "Avon's donation will help us acquire and develop the USSD string to complete the project."
Like POWA, the Saartjie Baartman Centre for women and children offers shelter for victims of abuse in the form of short- and medium-term accommodation, as well as counselling and legal advice. The organisation is based in the Western Cape and serves as a one-stop facility for all women experiencing abuse. "The donation from Avon will go towards operational costs, enabling us to help more women more efficiently," said Synnøv Skorge, director of the Saartjie Baartman Centre for women and children.
The addition of Tears and the Saartjie Baartman Centre for women and children as beneficiaries in Avon's campaign to ending violence against women follows the company's global Speak Out against Domestic Violence Communication Awards, which took place on International Women's Day, 8 March, 2013. On the day, Avon Foundation for Women ambassador Salma Hayek Pinault and Avon Products CEO Sheri McCoy announced that four global organisations and one government campaign had received 2nd Avon Communications Awards: Speaking Out About Violence Against Women for their outstanding work in bringing attention to the need to end violence against women. The awards, presented at the United Nations Headquarters during the 5th session of the Commission on the Status of Women, are part of the Avon Speak Out Against Domestic Violence programme, which has donated nearly USD50 million globally to end violence against women since its launch in 2004.
