The winning organization is Asociación Cultural Azoro, through its project "Art, communication and dialogue: A path against gender violence in El Salvador," which seeks to raise awareness of the structural and systemic causes of gender violence in both the private and public spheres and thus contribute to changes in people's knowledge and attitudes towards this type of violence.

The initiative includes key actions such as: awareness-raising campaigns, research, a presentation tour of La Cachada's plays and workshops on masculinities, with the aim of raising awareness about gender violence in all areas.

This project will be developed mainly in downtown San Salvador and will add other interventions in the departments of San Miguel, Santa Ana, Ahuachapán, La Libertad and Chalatenango, with funds donated by Avon.

According to data from UN Women El Salvador, 6 out of 10 women have experienced at least one incident of sexual violence in their lifetime; for Yessenia de Álvarez, Avon's Country Manager in El Salvador, "it is important to join this work developed by non-profit organizations and institutions to reduce the problem of gender violence".

"At Avon we are committed to continue defending women's rights, campaigning on issues that mainly affect this population, that is why we support this initiative that combines art and culture to prevent violence from affecting more women in their homes", said Yessenia de Álvarez.

Since 2007, Avon in Central America and the Dominican Republic has been promoting various actions such as: encouraging dialogue, providing relevant information about the problem to its network of representatives, collaborators, customers and partners, as well as working with local organizations to ensure that women and girls feel understood and supported by receiving fair treatment when they seek help or report abuse.

Each year, Avon calls on organizations that combat gender-based violence. In 2022, in El Salvador, proposals were received from 6 organizations. To select the beneficiary organization, the projects were evaluated by an ad honorem jury made up of leading professionals in social sciences, human rights, equity and gender perspective, taking into account criteria such as innovation, coherence, management and the positive impact they generate.

For Egly Larreynaga, president of the Asociación Cultural Azoro, it is very important to support artistic and cultural initiatives because they benefit not only women, but also other people who do not have access to these programs. Art is a tool for social transformation that helps us to raise awareness about the realities that many women and girls live in".

The fundraising that makes these donations possible is done mainly through the sale of products with a cause in the catalogs, which are promoted by the representatives. This is how they join the initiative to put an end to violence so that more women can break these circles of abuse and have a full life.

Translated by: A.M