THE CHALLENGE

Violence against women is widespread in Thailand, a country in which nearly half of all women have experienced physical and/or sexual violence at the hands of an intimate partner. Tragically, half of women victims of violence do not dare to speak about the issue.

Domestic violence occurs in all social and economic classes, however women living in poverty are more likely to experience abuse and have fewer resources to escape violent relationships. By breaking the cycle of poverty and becoming economically independent, women can better resist domestic violence and protect themselves (and their children) from violence.

What if, together, we could provide these women with the means to regain their self-confidence, improve their status and achieve independence and success?

You want to know more about our crucial work, please check out our video : 

THE SOLUTION WE’RE PROPOSING

Since 1982, the Association for the Promotion of the Status of Women (APSW) has helped over 53,000 women, teens and children in Thailand by offering them access to counselling services, shelter, medical care, psychological support and vocational training. The women beneficiaries are survivors of domestic violence and rape, teenagers facing unwanted pregnancies and  women living with HIV.

We’re calling on you to help us launch an innovative social business aimed at empowering vulnerable women through handicraft trainings.

Why handicrafts?

1) Any woman can flourish in this business - even if she is illiterate or has never worked before;

2) Engaging women survivors in a creative process facilitates their psychological recovery and enables them to regain self-esteem and dignity through the creation of valuable items;

3) By purchasing the crafted items, socially-conscious consumers can get involved and enable these women to acquire professional skills, earn a stable income and work in a safe environment.

How long does the training last? Women survivors can stay in shelters from one month to a year, depending on their physical and psychological conditions. The training is adapted on a case-by-case basis, according to each woman’s length of stay and specific needs. For instance, a tie-dye training session lasts only one day and trainees can start producing colorful scarves after only a few hours, whereas training in embroidery can take up to several weeks and requires the development of a more advanced skillset.

The longer women stay, the more skills they acquire. Each product is handmade and unique and encloses the story of the woman who crafted it. A new collection of products, designed by a famous fashion designer, inspired by traditional Thai Lanna culture and made from recycled materials, will be launched in January 2015. If you support our project today, you will perhaps have the chance to receive a piece from this special collection! 

THE IMPACT OF GIVING

Your contribution will fund training for victims of violence during their stays in the shelters of the organization.

Reaching our goal of €8,000 would enable us to hire a trainer for one year - someone who could provide women with new skills and competencies (including jewelry-making, knitting, batik) and help us diversify our products.

By attending artisanal training and creating valuable handicrafts, women can recover from the traumas they’ve experienced while acquiring crucial professional skills and earning a sustainable income. Over the longer term, they achieve economic independence, which also benefits their children; indeed, studies show that women reinvest 90% of their income in their families and communities.

By donating to this project, you will become an investor in our social business. In the words of Nobel Peace Prize Laureate, Professor Muhammad Yunus, “a charity dollar has only one life; a social business dollar can be invested over and over again.” All profits created through our social business will be reinvested into the business in order to ensure the sustainability of our training courses, reach more women and extend our impact.

To thank you for your involvement in the social business, the women trained will send you a reward made with love from Thailand.

Once you've donated, W4 will send you an e-mail enabling you to claim your reward(s).

Donations made through the W4 platform are tax deductible in France (for donations made in Euros) and in the United States (for donations made in US Dollars). For more information, please see our FAQs.