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In the Battle of the Sexes - Who Will Go the Longest?
Aqua Sphere Challenges Men and Women to Swim for a Cause
VISTA, Calif., March 18 /PRNewswire/ -- Aqua Sphere, the leader in high-end, innovative swim products, dares to see who will go the distance -- men or women?
As the sponsors of the Swim Challenge, Aqua Sphere, the company that promotes comfort and long-lasting performance in the water, has thrown down the gauntlet in an effort to raise funds and awareness for bosom and prostate cancer and, in the process, determine who rules the pool.
Beginning April 1 through November 30, swimmers of all abilities can sign-up and sign on to http://www.swimchallenge.org/ each day to log their hours (not their laps) in the water. Whether they like it smooth or rough, on their backs or their stomachs -- it's not the stroke that matters but who will outlast their competition.
The Swim Challenge website will track the total time, men vs. women, via a "leader meter" posted on the website and created as a widget so that competitors can keep tabs on their counterparts. The site will also allow swimmers to individually track their personal progress in the pool, encouraging them to swim longer each day.
A $35,000 donation will be split between the Prostate Cancer Foundation (men) and The bosom Cancer Research Foundation (women); allocations will be determined by the cumulative hours swum by each gender.
"Regardless who wins, they both win," says Olivier Laguette, Director of Marketing for Aqua Sphere. "We've all been personally affected by cancer in some way or another, but instead of simply writing a check, we wanted to do something fun that would promote a healthy lifestyle as well as some healthy competition -- and a little bit of gender wars seemed appropriate."
Aqua Sphere, the originator of the "swim mask," is widely known for their line of comfortable aquatic eyewear, including the popular Seal and Vista masks and the Kaiman and Kayenne goggles. Designed for form and function, swimmers can simply fit the frames to their face and forget about them while they enjoy swimming for time, distance, exercise or just fun.
For more information on the Swim Challenge, visit us on the web at http://www.swimchallenge.org/ or join the Swim Challenge Facebook fan site. Twitter users can also follow swim_challenge for the latest updates.
Designer Issey Miyake Debuts a New Fragrance for Women
New York, NY (August 11, 2009) /PRNewswire/ — This fall, world-renowned Japanese fashion designer Issey Miyake continues his quest for the essential with a new women's fragrance called simply 'a scent by issey miyake'. According to the designer, the new fragrance is "a scent as simple and beautiful as the air we breathe", merging technological innovation with nature's poetry. Following his iconic L'Eau d'Issey in 1992, a tribute to water, and Le Feu d'Issey in 1998, an homage to fire and light, 'a scent by issey miyake', marks the designer's latest collaboration with Beauté Prestige International, the Paris-based fragrance division of the Shiseido Cosmetics Corporation.
Issey Miyake's work is renowned as much for its fundamental minimalism as for its ability to surprise, and his newest fragrance continues that tradition. Created in collaboration with perfumer Daphné Bugey of Firmenich, 'a scent by issey miyake' features fresh notes of Hyacinth and Galbanum setting the fragrance's green, floral, delectable tone, enlivened by vivacious hints of Verbena and Jasmine.
Issey Miyake's innate intuition drives him to constantly reinvent by experimenting with new manufacturing techniques. Such is the powerful, avant-garde concept explored by bottle designer Arik Levy, whose unassuming design "does not hide behind plays of color or texture and instead deploys its infinite naked beauty". Levy's innovative design suggests that the bottles are sliced, depending on the desired size, from a single, continuous block of light-filled glass – a remarkable piece of glasswork that tests the boundaries of transparency.
The 'a scent by issey miyake' range of products includes a 5 oz Eau de Toilette ($115.00 USD), a 3.3 oz Eau de Toilette ($89.00 USD), a 1.6 oz Eau de Toilette ($65.00 USD), a 6.7 oz Moisturizing Body Lotion ($48.00 USD) and a 6.7 oz Moisturizing Shower Gel ($42.00 USD). 'a scent by issey miyake' will be available this fall exclusively at Saks Fifth Avenue, Neiman Marcus, Bloomingdale's and Nordstrom stores nationwide.
Beauté Prestige International was created in 1992 to augment Shiseido's fragrance business with the development of new designer fragrance brands. Beginning with Issey Miyake's L'Eau d'Issey in 1992, the company has slowly and steadily built its brand portfolio to include French designer Jean Paul Gaultier's CLASSIQUE (1993) and American designer Narciso Rodriguez' 'for her' 10 years later. In 2006, BPI USA was selected to administer the sales and distribution of the John Varvatos fragrance and skincare brands, an existing Shiseido subsidiary. Today, Beauté Prestige International's fragrance brands can be found in fine department and specialty stores nationwide.
For more information, contact: Jessica Barlow, Exec. Director, Public Relations ·212.805.2347· jbarlow@bpi.shiseido.com Jonathan Leacock, Manager, Public Relations ·212.805.1299· jleacock@bpi.shiseido.com Cara Krystofiak, Coordinator, Public Relations ·212.805.2380· ckrystofiak@bpi.shiseido.com
There are no ugly women-only women who don’t care or who don’t believe that they are attractive. ~ Estée Lauder (July 1, 1906 – April 24, 2004)
There are indeed no ugly women in romance.
I have heard and read many posts on Nairaland and other discussion forums where people callled some girls and women ugly and I found them amusing, but I disagree with the common references to those many call ugly.
As an artist and writer who has even being close to both black and white women and have discovered very attractive models, I am well informed to agree with Estée Lauder that no woman is really ugly, except she does not know how to make herself beautiful or attractive. And in romance, a man in love will always see her woman as beautiful.
Oikocredit has unveiled the initial results of an international women empowerment study.
Amersfoort, Netherlands, June 12, 2009 /PRNewswire/ — At Oikocredit, it's essential to know exactly how fair finance affects the lives of those it serves. In the first phase of an international study covering four countries (Bulgaria, Kenya, Peru and the Philippines) Oikocredit has examined the notion of fair financing and women empowerment.
Maria vd Hoeven speaks to all present at the Oikocredit Symposium.
Using in-depth interviews, we asked what women empowerment means to our microfinance clients. What is it, how does it work and what does it look like? Is the concept a notion of the North? Or is it genuinely relevant to the small entrepreneurs of the South?
The empowerment and advancement of women is part of Oikocredit's bid to closely evaluate social performance. We wish to know the real life effect of microfinance on standards of living: access to education, health and general household impact.
Oikocredit board president Shobha Arole said the study was the first step towards ensuring the organization's contribution to women empowerment through its field work.
"A lack of access to basic education, economic and property rights means 70 per cent of the world's poor are female," Dr Arole said. "These are the groups who are marginalized, victims of violence and vulnerable in every sense of the word."
With this inequality, few women have the opportunity to take their first steps out of poverty. However, Oikocredit sees the empowerment of women as fundamental in achieving sustainable development and alleviating poverty on an individual, family and community level.
Furthermore, with economic empowerment comes social empowerment. Access to credit gives women confidence, skills, respect and social status. Dutch minister for development Bert Koenders said empowerment of women is at the heart of development. "Economic empowerment and women's rights are interdependent. Each reinforces the other," he said. "By making use of their economic skills and qualifications, we will build a stronger foundation for long-term economic growth and contribute to greater equality between men and women. This is what I am working for. (Oikocredit is) working for the same goal."
At the conclusion of the first phase of Oikocredit's women empowerment study, results show no matter where you're from, no matter what you do, the empowerment of women is a vital consequence of fair finance. In the context of microfinance, the report summarizes women empowerment as the "progress of women in their ability to make choices and become self-reliant, facilitated by the availability of microfinance". Although the concept remains a dynamic one, it carries a universal social and economic definition.
In a time of economic doubt and uncertainty in the world, it's imperative we answer questions on the reality of microfinance's role in poverty alleviation and empowerment.
The results of the Women's Empowerment study will be presented and discussed at Oikocredit's symposium "Empowering Women - The Oikocredit Experience" on June 11 to an expected crowd of over 700 people. The results will be the basis for further case studies in coming years.
For more information please contact Juliette de Voogd, Department Corporate Communication on +31 (0)33 422 40 40 or by email communication@oikocredit.org
Key & figures Throughout the world, 1.4 billion people live in poverty (World Bank figures, 2008). 3,552 microfinance institutions reported reaching 154,825,825 clients around the world* Of these clients, 83.4 percent, or 88,726,893, were women.* Nearly three billion people in the world lack access to basic financial services* .(CGAP, 2006) Women who generate their own income support their families and their communities - providing housing, sanitary facilities, health services, education and nutritional food.
*Micro-credit Summit Campaign Report 2009, as of December 31, 2007.
Men more than women willing to give marriage a second chance
Poll of Single Online Daters Unveils Who Would Take Another Trip Down the Aisle
MIAMI BEACH, May 19 /PRNewswire/ -- Sean Penn, Nicholas Cage, Tom Cruise, Bruce Willis, Angelina Jolie, Jennifer Lopez, Demi Moore, and Jennifer Garner have all taken a second trip down the aisle. While the current divorce rate is at its lowest since 1970, still one third of Americans who have ever married have divorced at least once. With wedding season starting at the end of the month, leading online dating websites Date.com (www.date.com), Matchmaker.com (www.matchmaker.com), and Amor.com (www.amor.com), polled its members to see who would be willing to give marriage a second chance after a divorce.
"We were shocked to see the overwhelming response by men willing to take another shot at marriage after a divorce, while women were less inclined to make the commitment twice," said Shira Zwebner, Relationship Advisor for Date.com, Matchmaker.com and Amor.com. "These results show just how much women's attitudes towards love and marriage have evolved over the years. Today, women are content being in a loving and committed relationship that doesn't involve a trip to City Hall, whereas men need the security of an official marriage to validate the relationship. And, with celebrity role model couples like Susan Sarandon and Tim Robbins, Goldie Hawn and Kurt Russell, and Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt, today's women are confident that their committed relationships no longer have to be State or Religiously sanctioned to be everlasting."
In a new nationwide survey of thousands of male and female online daters, ranging in ages from 18-55+, we asked: Harrison Ford finally proposed to Calista Flockhart after seven and a half years of dating! When it comes to second time around, is marriage these days necessary?
Following are the complete results:
Men
Yes 65.4% No 23.1% Only if adoption of children are involved 7.7% Only if the couple is younger than 55 3.8%
Women
No 40.6% Yes 28.1% Only if the couple is younger than 55 18.8% Only if adoption of children are involved 15.6%
About Avalanche, LLC --------------------
Avalanche operates several leading online dating websites, including Date.com, Matchmaker.com and Amor.com. Date.com launched on Valentine's Day 1997 and has become one of the world's most popular dating websites. First started as a Bulletin Board System in 1986, Matchmaker.com is the oldest online dating site. It was acquired by Avalanche in 2006 and targets those singles seeking serious relationships. Amor.com, launched in 2007, is a rapidly growing destination for Hispanic singles. Avalanche hosts more than 10 million members worldwide, with the sites adding over 100,000 members each month. Additional information is available at www.date.com.
"Afghan women and girls want education. Many risk their lives to go to school... Human rights are not a western concept, but universal and necessary for all human beings "
Dr Sima Samar, chairperson of the Afghanistan Independent Human Rights Commission and Special Human Rights Rapportuer for Sudan.
Kabul, Afghanistan, April 15, 2009: Hundreds of Afghan women stood up to an angry crowd and marched to the Parliament, calling for repeal of a new law restricting women's lives.
For the women of Afghanistan and neighboring areas of Pakistan dominated by the Taliban, recent news has been dire: The new law passed by Parliament and signed by President Karzai, forbidding women to leave the house without their husbands' permission and legalizing marital rape; a 17 year-old woman in the Swat region of Pakistan, flogged for what the local Taliban commander described as a "transgression"; continuing attacks on girls' schools. According to the Feminist Majority Foundation, hundreds of girls' schools have been destroyed and teachers murdered; young girls on their way to school had acid thrown at them.
Reaction to the new law -- and to the attacks on women which preceded it -- has been strong: President Obama said "I think this law is abhorrent. Certainly the views of this administration have been, and will be communicated to the Karzai government... The first reason we are there is to root out al Qaeda...those two things aren't contradictory, I think they're complementary..."
Secretary of State Hillary Clinton: "My message is very clear: Women's rights are a central part of American foreign policy in the Obama administration; they are not marginal; they re not an add-on or afterthought...So we will continue to work very hard on behalf of women and girls in Afghanistan and around the world." Women Senators have spoken up: a bipartisan group, led by U.S. Senator Barbara Boxer (D-CA) and including Olympia Snowe (R-ME), Dianne Feinstein (D-CA), Claire McCaskill (D-MO), Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), and Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) sent a letter to President Karzai.
"This law should be reversed immediately," Boxer said. "Not only is this law an attack on individual freedom, but it condones despicable acts against women in their homes. By approving this law, Afghan leaders are holding back the entire country's progress and turning the nation back toward some of the most oppressive practices of the Taliban."
Responding to the public outcry, President Karzai has now promised to review the law. According to his aide, the legislation is not yet law, and will be reviewed so that it will be "consistent with the rights provided in the Constitution -- equality and the protection of women"
The State Departments is monitoring what happens next: "We're glad that President Karzai has agreed to review this law critics say permits spousal rape and severely limits women's rights," said State Department spokesman Robert Wood. "And we'll be watching this closely to see how the process develops."
Watch the video. Video courtesy of the Associated Press.
The women of Afghanistan are risking their lives to speak up for their rights; we must continue to speak up for them.
SCIENCE COMES (BACK) TO WASHINGTON
An important policy announcement this week, and a demonstration that respect for scientific evidence and evidence-based decision making has come back to Washington: The Environmental Protection Agency said formally that carbon dioxide and other heat-trapping gases "endanger public health and welfare within the meaning of the Clean Air Act." Among the problems they cause: increased drought, flooding, more frequent heat waves and wildfires, and harm to water resources, agriculture and eco-systems. The proposed finding is open for comment review for 60 days, but I think I have my favorite already: "'Duh' may not be a scientific term, but it applies here" said Emily Figdor, federal global warming director of Environment America. " EPA has embraced the basic facts on global warming that scientists around the world have acknowledged for years." A very happy Earth Day to all of us concerned about the health of our families -- and our planet.
EQUAL RIGHTS AT HOME
Next Tuesday, April 28th is Equal Pay Day -- and if you wonder why that day was chosen, April 28 marks how long into the current year American women have to work to catch up with what was earned by men just in the previous year. Think what a difference that equal paycheck would make to your family!
This year, we can celebrate passage of the Lily Ledbetter Fair Pay Act, the first legislation signed into law by President Obama, which ensures that women have a reasonable chance to sue for pay discrimination. But we could do so much more by acting, to prevent discrimination the first place. The Paycheck Fairness Act, originally sponsored by then-Senator Hillary Clinton, and now led by Senator Barbara Mikulski (D-MD) and Representative Rosa DeLauro (D-CT) would strengthen the Equal Pay laws, and help take equal pay from the law books to our checkbooks.
We have a lot more information coming about and actions you can take on Equal Pay and the Paycheck Fairness Act -- stay tuned.
NO LIMITS IS GROWING
We're so proud to announce the next steps for No Limits: our new website will be ready soon, with resources and information about the issues you care about, and a special social networking feature that will make it easier for us all to stay connected.
You can help us grow! When you get the announcement of our new website, will you forward it to your friends?
New First Response® Fertility Test Helps Women Answer the Question: Am I Able to Get Pregnant?
At-home Test Measures Hormone Levels That Indicate Egg Quality and Quantity
PRINCETON, N.J., April 6, 2009 /PRNewswire/ — Women trying to conceive are now able to buy at retail, a new test that can help them quickly and easily identify their potential for becoming pregnant. The First Response® Fertility Test for Women is unique in that it allows women to measure follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) levels to evaluate ovarian reserve – egg quantity and quality. Low ovarian reserve is one of the leading factors of infertility in women. With the test results, women will be better equipped to have productive discussions with their doctors about getting pregnant.
While many women think that getting pregnant will be no trouble, millions of women in America struggle with infertility. According to a new survey for First Response®, 70 percent of women who may want to have children think they can get pregnant whenever they want. But according to RESOLVE: The National Infertility Association, infertility affects 7.3 million Americans.
"Three questions I often get asked by my patients are: am I able to conceive, am I ovulating and am I pregnant? " said Dr. Lisa Masterson, M.D., a Santa Monica-based OB/GYN affiliated with Cedars-Sinai, St. John's and UCLA/Santa Monica hospitals, and a co-host on The Doctors. "The First Response® Fertility Test empowers women to ask the right questions, right from the start, when they're trying to get pregnant so they can take charge of their fertility future."
How the First Response® Fertility Test Works The First Response® Fertility Test measures FSH levels in a woman's urine on the third day of her menstrual cycle. Results appear on the urine stick within 30 minutes with 95 percent accuracy. If FSH levels are found to be above normal, this may indicate that her ovarian reserve is low and may be interfering with her ability to become pregnant.
A woman should speak to her doctor if:
Her FSH levels are above normal. Her FSH levels are normal, but she's 35 years or older and has been trying to get pregnant for at least six months, she's younger than 35 and has been trying to get pregnant for at least 12 months, or she's any age and does not have menstrual periods or has irregular periods. There has been significant growth in consumer demand for over-the-counter reproductive health products. First Response® has become one of the most trusted women's health brands by offering accurate tests that anticipate women's needs, and with the launch of the Fertility Test for Women, First Response® now offers a full range of at-home tests that answer some of life's most important questions.
Surveys Reveals Women Overly Confident About Their Ability to Get Pregnant First Response® surveyed women of child-bearing age about their knowledge of fertility, their pregnancy potential and views on planning for pregnancy.
Also, members of RESOLVE: The National Infertility Association were surveyed about their knowledge of fertility, their pregnancy potential and views on planning for pregnancy. The studies found:
Three-quarters (75 percent) of women believe it's easy for women in general to get pregnant. Interestingly, nearly two-thirds (65 percent) of RESOLVE members thought they could get pregnant without any problem when they first started trying. (These women ultimately experienced difficulties.) Three in four women of child-bearing age did not know what FSH was and how it can affect a woman's ability to get pregnant. Majority (86 percent) of Resolve members would have taken charge faster and sought the care of a medical professional sooner if they had known more about their fertility potential before they started to try to conceive. When women plan key aspects of their life, planning for future pregnancy falls to the bottom of the list behind finances, career, education – even planning for vacations. "Many women don't understand how difficult it can be to become pregnant until they're already experiencing fertility problems," said Barbara Collura, executive director of RESOLVE. "Getting educated about leading causes of infertility, like poor ovarian reserve, arming themselves with the right tools, and starting a conversation with their doctors can help women better plan for a family."
The First Response® Fertility Test for Women is available at major food, drug and mass merchandise outlets. A package with two test sticks has a suggested retail price of $24.99. For more information, visit www.FirstResponse.com.
About the Surveys The online survey was administered to RESOLVE constituents between November 4-December 15, 2008 through resolve.org, and was completed by over 700 women.
StrategyOne, an applied research consulting firm, conducted a nationwide telephone omnibus study on behalf of First Response® of 260 women 18-44. Interviews were conducted between November 6-November 10, 2008 using the field services of ORC (Opinion Research Corporation).
About Church & Dwight, Co., Inc. Church & Dwight, Co., Inc., headquartered in Princeton, NJ, distributes First Response® Early Result Pregnancy Test and other First Response® products, including First Response® Rapid Result Pregnancy Test, First Response® Easy Read Ovulation Test, and Answer Pregnancy and Ovulation Tests.
About RESOLVE: The National Infertility Association Founded in 1974, RESOLVE: The National Infertility Association, headquartered in McLean, VA, is the oldest and largest consumer-based, nonprofit group that provides education, advocacy and compassionate support for those struggling with infertility in the United States. Each year, RESOLVE and its nationwide network of affiliates handle more than 1.5 million contacts from people seeking information and help. For more information, visit the RESOLVE website at www.resolve.org.
Peter Gabriel, Diego Luna, and Jaguares' Saul Hernandez Meet With President Calderon to Stop Violence Against Women in Ciudad Juarez and Chihuahua, Mexico
Mexico City, March 27 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Today, rock legend Peter Gabriel, actor Diego Luna, Jaguares' Saul Hernandez, and Patricia Cervantes, the mother of Neyra Cervantes, who was disappeared and murdered in 2003, met with PresidentFelipe Calderón to urge him to increase his efforts to end the violence and murders of women in Ciudad Juárez and Chihuahua.
Mr. Gabriel said, "We came to bring a message from thousands of people around the globe. The world has not forgotten the hundreds of women who were brutally murdered in Juarez and Chihuahua in the past sixteen years." He added, "The families have waited long enough for answers. "
During the meeting, President Calderon suggested that participating NGOs provide him with a list of priorities related to feminicide and that authorities meet with these NGOs periodically to review progress on these issues. Within the confines of legal proceedings, he also committed to make this process transparent to the general public.
The Attorney General and the Minister of Interior, who also participated in the meeting, both committed to personally follow up on the cases of Neyra Azucena Cervantes who disappeared in 2003 and her cousin, David Meza, who spent three years in jail after being tortured into confessing to her murder. These stories are the focus of the film, "Dual Injustice," co-produced by WITNESS, the human rights NGO founded by Mr. Gabriel, and Comision Mexicana de Defensa y Promocion de los Derechos Humanos (CMDPDH).
The artists, along with Patricia Cervantes, presented President Calderon with a petition signed by thousands of people from around the world. They thanked him for this groundbreaking meeting and the renewed hope it offered for the women of Juarez and Chihuahua.
Since 1993, over 470 women have been violently killed in Ciudad Juarez and Chihuahua, Mexico - in a phenomenon known as feminicide. More than half of the victims have been women and girls between the ages of 13 and 22 years. Their mangled bodies often show signs of sexual violence and many have yet to be positively identified. Explanations for the murders have ranged from forced prostitution and organ trafficking, to satanic rituals and the production of snuff movies. However, there has been no sufficient evidence pointing to one particular theory.
AVON COMMITS OVER $1.75 MILLION FOR NEW PARTNERSHIPS TO END VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN
Establishes new Avon Global Center for Women and Justice at Cornell Law School Makes Additional Contributions to the UN Trust Fund to End Violence Against Women Award-Winning Actress Reese Witherspoon Launches New Global Mobilization Efforts Washington, DC (March 3, 2009) /PRNewswire/ — One in three women worldwide experience violence in their lifetime1, and in the U.S., a woman is assaulted every nine seconds2. Around the world, services for victims are often vastly underfunded or unavailable, and in many countries, laws to protect women do not exist or are not enforced.
In response, the Avon Foundation for Women today announced meaningful new efforts to eradicate violence against women and help ensure justice for all women worldwide. This included a $1.5 million grant by the Avon Foundation for Women to launch the Avon Global Center for Women and Justice at Cornell Law School. This new center will focus on working with judges, legal professionals, governmental and non-governmental organizations to improve access to justice in an effort to eliminate violence against women and girls. Avon also expanded its relationship with the United Nations Development Fund for Women (UNIFEM) with a new commitment of $250,000 for the UN Trust Fund to End Violence against Women, which will be added to the grant of $1 million awarded in 2008 for the Trust Fund. This brings the total Avon global commitment to ending violence against women to over $14 million to date.
"For over 120 years, Avon has provided women with economic opportunity while serving as a change agent for critical issues that face women worldwide," stated Andrea Jung, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Avon Products, Inc. "Lack of financial resources and lack of personal safety are two reinforcing, co-dependent crises. We are so proud to help bring attention to eradicating violence against women and improving access to justice for women and girls, and to award new grants that will help launch initiatives to change lives around the globe."
The announcements of these new initiatives were made by Andrea Jung, who was joined by Stewart Schwab, Dean and Professor of Law of Cornell Law School, during the Global Forum for Women and Justice. Also joining were former Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day O'Connor; Joan Winship, Executive Director of the International Association of Women Judges; and Reese Witherspoon, award-winning actress, Avon Global Ambassador and Avon Foundation for Women Honorary Chairperson. Hosted by the International Association of Women Judges (with support from Avon), the Global Forum for Women and Justice is a two-day meeting held in Washington D.C. of judges and legal practitioners from around the world to address obstacles and solutions to the issue of violence against women.
Avon Global Center for Women and Justice at Cornell Law School The new Avon Global Center for Women and Justice at Cornell Law School will undertake four major initiatives, including intensive legal clinical projects, providing legal research for judges, hosting conferences and events, and maintaining an extensive international online library, as well as a discussion forum for judges relating to gender-based violence. The Avon Global Center, which will launch this fall, will serve as a forum for judges and legal practitioners to share ideas and strategies on the role of the judicial system in facilitating access to justice for women victims of violence.
"The Avon Global Center for Women and Justice at Cornell Law School is the first center of its kind to work with judges worldwide in an effort to bring justice to women survivors of violence," said Barbara Holden Smith, Vice Dean of Cornell Law School.
"This is a historic moment. The Center is prepared to address the epidemic of violence against women and girls, and to work toward greater justice for those who have survived such violence."
Avon's Grassroots Mobilization to End Violence Against Women These new efforts underscore Avon's ongoing commitment to ending violence against women, which includes the Speak Out Against Domestic Violence program launched by Avon and the Avon Foundation for Women in 2004. These efforts have expanded to 45 countries, including award-winning Avon programs in Mexico and the Czech Republic. The company is also partnering with local UNIFEM offices on the issue of violence against women in 13 countries. Behind the success of these initiatives are much-needed grassroots mobilization and fundraising, which are assets Avon brings to global philanthropy, driven by the company's network of nearly 6 million Avon Sales Representatives worldwide.
Reese Witherspoon, award-winning actress, Avon global ambassador and honorary chairperson of the Avon Foundation for Women, announced at a press conference before the Global Forum a new Avon fundraising product: the Women's Empowerment Necklace. Launched as a companion piece to the 2008 Women's Empowerment Bracelet, the Necklace is accessibly priced at just $5.00. It will be sold through Avon's Sales Representatives and on www.avon.com. All net proceeds of the Necklace will support domestic violence programs, building upon the $4 million already raised by the Bracelet in one year. In the US every Women's Empowerment product sold will include a free Domestic Violence Resource Guide to increase awareness of this epidemic of violence and encourage everyone to speak out so it stops.
"Nearly a billion women worldwide are affected by violence," explained Witherspoon. "The Empowerment Necklace is an easy way for all women to take action and demonstrate solidarity to reduce the worldwide epidemic of violence against women. As Honorary Chair of the Avon Foundation, as a woman, and as a mother, I am proud to support this effort."
About Avon Products, Inc. and the Avon Foundation for Women Avon, the company for women, is a leading global beauty company, with over $10 billion in annual revenue. As the world's largest direct seller, Avon markets to women in more than 100 countries through nearly 6 million independent Avon Sales Representatives. Avon's product line includes beauty products, fashion jewelry and apparel, and features such well-recognized brand names as Avon Color, Anew, Skin-So-Soft, Advance Techniques, Avon Naturals, and Mark. Avon is also a leader in corporate responsibility and philanthropy. In addition to Avon's heritage of women's empowerment, the Avon Foundation for Women, a 501(c)(3) public charity, is the largest corporate -affiliated philanthropy for women, with more than $660 million raised worldwide for causes of great concern to women, currently focused on breast cancer, domestic violence and emergency disaster relief. Learn more about Avon, its products and programs at www.avoncompany.com.
About the Avon Global Center for Women and Justice at Cornell Law School The mission of the Avon Global Center for Women and Justice at Cornell Law School is to work with judges, legal professionals, governmental and non-governmental organizations to improve access to justice for survivors of gender-based violence in an effort to eliminate violence against women and girls.
About UNIFEM UNIFEM, the United Nations Development Fund for Women, provides financial and technical assistance to innovative programs and strategies to foster women's empowerment and gender equality. Placing the advancement of women's human rights at the centre of all of its efforts, UNIFEM focuses its activities on reducing feminized poverty; ending violence against women; reversing the spread of HIV/AIDS among women and girls; and achieving gender equality in democratic governance in times of peace as well as war. For more information, visit www.unifem.org.
About the International Association of Women Judges The International Association of Women Judges (IAWJ) is a non-profit, non-governmental organization of more than 4,000 members at all levels of the judiciary in more than 90 nations. Formed in 1991, the IAWJ unites women judges from diverse legal and judicial systems who share a commitment to equal justice and the rule of law. The IAWJ believes that women judges are in a unique position to advance the rights of women through the judicial system, and to protect and empower women throughout the world. Through pioneering judicial education programs and worldwide collaboration, the IAWJ has focused its special efforts on addressing issues of violence and discrimination against women in order to advance equal justice, to eliminate gender bias in the courts, and to make the courts accessible to all, especially women and children. Learn more about the International Association of Women Judges and its programs at www.iawj.org.
1 Heise, L., Ellsberg , M. and Gottemoeller, M. Ending Violence Against Women. Population Reports. Series L, No. 11, 1999.
2 Bureau of Justice Statistics. Violence Against Women. Estimates from the redesigned Survey, August 1998.
WOMEN IN THE WORKFORCE LINK COSMETIC SURGERY TO SUCCESS
ASPS, Nearly 15-Million U.S. Working Women Considering Cosmetic Procedures
Arlington Heights, February 10, 2009 /PRNewswire/ — Faced with news of increasing layoffs, straining economic times, and a belief that hiring is based on looks, millions of American women are looking at cosmetic medical procedures to give them a competitive edge in the workplace. In a new telephone survey* compiled by the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS) of 756 women between the ages of 18 and 64, many reveal cosmetic plastic surgery procedures now appear to be an important rung on the success ladder.
13 percent (more than 1 out of 10 of the 115-million working-age women) say they would consider having a cosmetic medical procedure specifically to make them more confident and more competitive in the job market.
An astounding 3 percent (nearly 3.5-million working women) say they've already had a cosmetic procedure to increase their perceived value in the workplace. 73 percent (almost three out of four or, 84-million working women) believe, particularly in these challenging economic times, appearance and youthful looks play a part in getting hired, getting a promotion, or getting new clients. 80 percent (four out of five or 92-million working women) think having cosmetic medical procedures can boost a person's confidence.
Insurance Broker Janice Axelrod, a baby-boomer, recently had a chemical peel and fat transfers from her abdomen to her face. "Time has given me the professional knowledge. But time can take away the youthful sparkle of my appearance if I let it. When you look good, you feel confident. That gives me a competitive edge and something my clients have come to expect from me," says Axelrod.
ASPS Member Surgeon Loren Schechter, MD performed Axelrod's cosmetic procedures at Advocate Lutheran General Hospital in Park Ridge, Illinois. He says "Not only do the women believe youthful looks help in the workplace... they're acting on that belief."
John Canady, MD, president of ASPS says, "Consumers need to remember that while cosmetic procedures might help them in the job market, they're still medical procedures." Canady says women still need to proceed with caution. "Patient safety is ASPS' number one concern. Women need to do their homework. Go to the ASPS website at www.plasticsurgery.org to find an ASPS Member Surgeon in your area."
The American Society of Plastic Surgeons is the largest organization of board-certified plastic surgeons in the world. Representing more than 6,700 physician members, the Society is recognized as a leading authority and information source on cosmetic and reconstructive plastic surgery. ASPS comprises more than 94 percent of all board-certified plastic surgeons in the United States. Founded in 1931, the Society represents physicians certified by The American Board of Plastic Surgery or The Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada.
* Survey conducted by Opinion Research Corporation. Results have a +/- 3% error range.
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