Partners have designs on ending women and girl abuse

ON November 25 2015, Edcon, in partnership with UN Women, the Gauteng Departments of Social Development and Community Safety, and the South African Fashion Council, launched the Edgars UNiTE Orange Day Campaign to #BreaktheSilence and “say NO to violence against women and girls”.

The initiative seeks to support survivors of genderbased violence by developing their skills in the world of fashion design and sewing, through workshops and accredited training courses.

It’s hoped this will result in tangible opportunities for job creation in the local manufacturing market, financial independence and enterprise development.

It’s also felt that, ultimately, it allows the survivors to reclaim their dignity and lives, and become self-sufficient.

Since the inception of the Edgars UNiTE Orange Day Campaign in 2015, Edcon has launched it in KwaZulu-Natal and the Western Cape, managing to empower more than 100 women by providing them with skills and knowledge in fashion design and product development.

“The Edgar’s UNiTE Campaign is more than just a programme. A programme has a start and finish date.

This is a process,” said Bernie Brookes, chief executive and managing director of Edcon.

“The Orange Campaign features events and functions that all raise the profile of the significant problem of abuse we have in our country.”

As part of creating awareness around the 16 Days of Activism, which begins on Saturday, Edgars invites the public to take part in the 6km Orange Run at Mushroom Park, Sandton, on Saturday, December 2.

The run is arranged by the organisers of the Neon Run and the Spar Women’s Race. The Orange Run promises to be an event to remember.

It’s empowered by Edgars UNiTE.