Become part of the movement to empower women and girls
October 10, 2014
Seventy percent of the world’s poorest people are women, a fact that has devastating effects on families. When women are able to earn their own incomes, their children tend to be healthier because women spend an average of 80% of their earnings on housing, medication and food for their families.
The IKEA Foundation’s partner, Half the Sky Movement, is bringing millions of people’s attention to the terrible consequences of women’s and girls’ oppression, from violence to being blocked from education and even the workforce. Using different media—TV documentaries, online films and mobile games—Half the Sky Movement inspires people to take action against discrimination and to support charities that are working for equal rights for women and girls.
By shedding light on women’s stories of struggle and success, the Movement has helped raise over $5 million USD for 31 organisations. Even better, more than 1,700 people have been so inspired that they have become community ambassadors, taking action against injustice in their communities.
The IKEA Foundation has supported Half the Sky Movement since 2012, and we’re giving them a new €1.12 million grant so many more people will be inspired to act against women’s oppression—and we would love for IKEA customers and co-workers to get involved.
Want to get involved? Become a community ambassador!
Community ambassadors play a huge role in encouraging their friends, families and communities to make the world a better place for women and girls.
Each ambassador organises a screening of the documentary Half the Sky: Turning Oppression into Opportunity for Women Worldwide. Ambassadors also commit to doing at least two actions a month—from signing petitions to volunteering, organising panel discussions and acting on any other creative ideas they have.
For IKEA customers and co-workers looking to somehow make a difference, this is a fantastic way to make a difference for millions of women and girls around the world. Want to join? Sign up here.
The IKEA Foundation is funding Half the Sky because we believe that empowering women is one of the best ways to create better opportunities for children.
