Avon Products has announced that the Avon Foundation for Women is donating $100,000 to Malala Fund - a charity that champions every girl's right to 12 years of free, safe, quality education.  The donation will be channelled directly to advance education for girls in Brazil, Avon's largest market.

Breaking down the barriers holding women and girls back, to create a better world for everyone, is a common goal for Avon and Malala Fund. Avon's global programme, stand4her, aims to improve the lives of 100 million women by creating opportunities to build success on their own terms.

The plan includes initiatives such as the Avon Academy, a training platform to enable Representatives to learn beauty and business skills and the Global Scholarship Programme, offering financial support to Avon's beauty entrepreneurs and their families to continue their studies.

Malala Fund was founded by Malala Yousafzai, the Pakistani activist for female education and the youngest Nobel Prize laureate, and her father, Ziauddin. Malala Fund works towards a world where every girl can learn and lead, breaking down the barriers that hold girls back.

The donation from the Avon Foundation for Women will be directed towards one of Malala Fund's Gulmakai Champions who is working to advance girls' education in Brazil by sparking social and systemic change for girls. In Brazil, 1.5 million girls are currently denied an education as a result of racism, exploitation and poverty.

Patricia Eisner, chief development officer, Malala Fund, says, "Like Avon, Malala Fund aims to break down the barriers keeping girls from achieving their full potential. We share a vision to see a world where all women and girls can learn, and Malala Fund is grateful to the Avon Foundation for Women for investing in our work. Unlike countries with millions of out-of-school girls, Brazil could see every girl in school relatively soon."

Malala Yousafzai, co-founder, Malala Fund, adds: "In Brazil, indigenous and Afro-Brazilian girls are disproportionately marginalised and struggle to complete their education. Malala Fund's Gulmakai in Brazil are fighting for their future and we are grateful to the Avon Foundation for Women for investing in their work."

Amy Greene, Chair of the Avon Foundation, comments, "Avon has been supporting women for 130 years, it is part of our DNA. Research shows again and again, that when one woman's life improves, it benefits her family, her community and the wider world we all live in. That is why opening up Avon to partner with organisations like Malala Fund, is so important - it's how we maximise our impact to make the biggest difference. We're so proud to be working with Malala Fund, it's an incredible organisation, and Malala is an inspiration around the world in championing opportunity for women and girls." 

Photo: A screenshot via MalalaFund.org