'Together for Her’ campaign fights gender-based violence during COVID-19

With the risk of increased gender-based violence, Charlize Theron and partners launched ‘Together for her’ to raise additional funds during COVID-19.

Los Angeles, United States of America (23 April 2020) – Charlize Theron, her foundation, the Charlize Theron Africa Outreach Project (CTAOP), and their partners, CARE and the Entertainment Industry Foundation (EIF) yesterday, launched Together for Her to deploy funds and support the global fight against gender-based violence during COVID-19.

Charlize and CTAOP are committing $1 million to COVID-19 relief efforts, with $500,000 specifically designated towards trusted domestic violence shelters and community-based programmes through Together for Her.

Donations to Together for Her will be directed towards critical services such as safe accommodation/shelter, case management, psycho-social support and counselling, helplines, crisis intervention, sexual and reproductive health services, legal services, community-based prevention and advocacy work to address gender-based violence, and additional support mechanisms for women and children experiencing domestic violence.

Charlize and these three organisations are calling upon other influential women and organisations to join this critical cause to provide safe spaces and lifesaving programmes for women in need.

As the global spread of COVID-19 has forced people indoors, life has become even more dangerous for women experiencing domestic violence, especially for those who are most marginalised and are at increased risk of experiencing violence. The quarantine environment causes increased stress levels, which exacerbate tensions, and abusers feel empowered in a situation where resources and support are scarce. According to the CDC, economic stress and unemployment, both of which are currently being experienced at unprecedented levels are risk factors linked to a greater likelihood of intimate partner violence (IPV) perpetration.

Not only are women experiencing this violence, but many children, who are also home from school, are witnessing the acts of abuse, and potentially experiencing it themselves.

Although advocates have been working to curtail the rise of domestic violence for many years, the issue continues to be woefully underfunded and underrepresented. Coming together as women to support women in this crisis is critical, not only from the standpoint of the direct impact the resources raised will have but also as a symbol to the world that we value the lives and health of women and girls.

Charlize and CTAOP’s gift will be supporting efforts in the United States and her home country of South Africa, while additional funds will be designated domestically and internationally through EIF and CARE.

CARE will leverage funds from Together for Her to support programmes to protect women and girls and prevent gender-based violence within the 100 countries that CARE works, including countries actively responding to the COVID-19 crisis.