FACT SHEET:

AVON LIGHT UP TO SPEAK OUT CANDLE LIGHTING CEREMONY

  • What is the Avon Light Up to Speak Out candle lighting ceremony?
    The Avon Light Up to Speak Out candle lighting ceremony is an event held by Avon to raise awareness of the issue of violence against women in South Africa and to commemorate all women who’ve been faced with violence. Through the event, Avon would like to give hope to women across the country by highlighting how they can overcome physical, sexual and other types of violence they may be facing.
  • When and where will the Avon Light Up to Speak Out candle lighting ceremony take place?

    The 2017 Avon Light Up to Speak Out candle lighting ceremony was held on Saturday, 13 May at the Jack Botes Hall in Polokwane. The date and venue for the 2018 edition of the event will be confirmed in due course.

  • Why Polokwane?

    A recent study reported that Limpopo had the highest rate of violence against women in South Africa. Gauteng was next with 58%. We want to work with communities to help significantly reduce violence against women in South Africa.

  • What activities are there going to be at the Avon Light Up to Speak Out candle lighting ceremony?
    The Avon Light Up to Speak Out candle lighting ceremony is characterised by breath-taking live performances, emotional stories from survivors of abuse and other speakers as well as the individual lighting of candles to remember those women who lost their lives to abuse and also celebrate those who have overcome it.
  • How much is a ticket to the Avon Light Up to Speak Out candle lighting ceremony?

    A single ticket costs R150. This includes a buffet lunch, live performances and a stunning Avon goodie bag. All proceeds from the ticket sales go directly to NGOs.

  • How does one book for the Avon Light Up to Speak Out candle lighting ceremony?
    Tickets are available from Computicket
  • What does Avon want to achieve with the Avon Light Up to Speak Out candle lighting ceremony?
    Avon aims to generate awareness on the issue of violence against women while highlighting solutions for women faced with abuse in South Africa. It is also important to send a strong message out, that violence against women will not be tolerated, Avon also wants to raise funds for relevant NGOs in the process.
  • What are the statistics on violence against women in South Africa?
    • 1 in every 4 women is in an abusive relationship
    • A woman is killed every 8 hours by her male intimate partner
    • Over 40% of men surveyed have admitted to physically or sexually abusing their partner in the past 12 months
    • Over 73% of perpetrators commit their first rape before the age of 20
    • Only 1 in 29 rapes are reported

    *Source: Medical Research Council
  • What is violence against women, is it only physical abuse?

    Violence against women refers to all acts of abuse against women. This could be financial, emotional, physical, sexual or otherwise.

  • Can I speak to Avon’s NGO partners at the event?

    Yes. POWA and the TEARS Foundation will have stands where you can learn more about violence against women as well as receive help.

  • What other organisations does Avon work within its commitment to end violence against women in South Africa

    Avon also works with Lawyers against abuse, the Saartjie Baartman Centre for Women and Children in the Western Cape, Yokhuselo Haven in the Eastern Cape, the 1000 Women’s Trust and the Tears Foundation which have national coverage.

  • What has Avon done to help end violence against women in South Africa?

    Avon has raised and donated over R7 million to its NGO partners as part of its campaign to help end violence against women in South Africa. Each NGO partner provides much needed support and service to the communities where they operate.
    • POWA renovated its second stage women’s shelter, furnished its East Rand shelter and secured a new office in the Sebokeng region
    • The Tears Foundation completed a new database which will provide women with the contact details of organizations near them that can help them.
    • The Saartjie Baartman Centre for Women and Children has used the donation from Avon for the upkeep of its facilities. The Centre was close to closing down due to a lack of resources.
    • Yokhuselo Haven maintains its two shelters, providing added support for women in the region.
    • The WHEAT trust uses the funds from Avon to mobilise communities to recognise and stand against violence against women.

    Avon has also launched annual social media campaigns as part of a long-term strategy to change perceptions, attitudes and most importantly the behaviour of perpetrators. This means our campaigns include a strong message directed towards South African men.

    Help us spread the key messages contained in our campaigns so we can reach more South Africans every year and ensure social change in this respect.