In March 2015, at the UN “Commission on the Status of Women” (CSW) 2015 session in New York, Swarovski pledged to work with UN Women to help in their efforts for gender equality and empowerment, including a minimum donation of £100k towards UN Women for the Safe Cities Global Initiative.
As part of this effort, and working with the UN Women UK National Committee*, Atelier Swarovski, Swarovski’s luxury fashion accessories line, launches an exclusive charity bracelet to be sold in selected Swarovski stores across the globe.
Atelier Swarovski will donate 30% of the RRP from every sale to UN Women in support of the initiative, which is the first-ever global programme to develop and implement tools, policies and approaches on the prevention of harassment and violence against women and girls.
The bracelets are available in four autumnal colors for Autumn/Winter 2015, with four new pastel shades launching in Spring/Summer 2016. Each bracelet features a Pointiage™ set crystal bead strung upon a matching silk cord.
Swarovski has a longstanding interest in women’s issues and is bringing its focus on women to the forefront once again as it works closely with the UN to support those who are at risk across the globe. In March 2014, Swarovski’s Executive Board officially signed the United Nations’ Women’s Empowerment Principles (WEPs).
Nadja Swarovski, Member of the Swarovski Executive Board, commented: “We are extremely proud to support UN Women and are committed to help create a world where women feel empowered. In support of their tireless campaign to improve women’s safety we have created a selection of bracelets to raise awareness of this important fight.”
Supporting women’s issues falls within Swarovski’s commitment to responsible, ethical and ecological standards, which have been embedded in its business since the company was founded in 1895. Swarovski’s Corporate Social Responsibility strategy maintains this tradition through six focus areas: Ethics and Integrity, Caring for People, Creating Responsible Products, Protecting the Environment, Giving Back and Responsible Supply Chain. In addition, as part of the United Nations Global Compact (UNGC) initiative, Swarovski is committed to aligning its operations in the areas of human rights, labor, environment and anti-corruption.
Swarovski aims to ensure that it follows its words with actions and remains true to the vision of the company’s founder, Daniel Swarovski – to run a company that has the wellbeing of all employees, society and the environment at its heart.
The Atelier Swarovski UN Women Bracelet is available to purchase at selected Swarovski stores.
Swarovski Swarovski delivers a diverse portfolio of unmatched quality, craftsmanship, and creativity. Founded in 1895 in Austria, Swarovski designs, manufactures and markets high-quality crystals, genuine gemstones and created stones as well as finished products such as jewelry, accessories and lighting. Now celebrating its 120th anniversary and run by the fifth generation of family members, Swarovski Crystal Business has a global reach with approximately 2,560 stores in around 170 countries, more than 25,000 employees, and revenue of about 2.33 billion euros in 2014. Together with its sister companies Swarovski Optik (optical devices) and Tyrolit (abrasives), Swarovski Crystal Business forms the Swarovski Group. In 2014, the Group generated revenue of about 3.05 billion euros and employed more than 30,000 people. The Swarovski Foundation was set up in 2012 to honor the philanthropic spirit of founder Daniel Swarovski. Its mission is to support creativity and culture, promote wellbeing, and conserve natural resources. swarovskigroup.com
Atelier Swarovski Since launching in Autumn/Winter 2007, luxury crystal accessories line Atelier Swarovski has collaborated with some 60 of the world’s leading designers from a range of creative fields including fashion, jewelry, architecture and design. Past collaborators include Maison Martin Margiela, Mary Katrantzou, Karl Lagerfeld and Zaha Hadid. Following the fashion cycle by launching new collections twice a year during London and Paris fashion weeks, Atelier Swarovski creates the ultimate cutting-edge designer fashion accessories whilst demonstrating the infinite creative potential of crystal. atelierswarovski.com
About UN Women
UN Women is the UN organization dedicated to gender equality and the empowerment of women. A global champion for women and girls, UN Women was established to accelerate progress on meeting their needs worldwide. For more information, visit www.unwomen.org.
About Safe Cities Global Initiative Global Initiative includes two main flagship programmes. In 2010, with UN-Habitat and 50 other global and local partners, we launched “Safe Cities Free of Violence against Women and Girls” in Quito, Ecuador; Cairo, Egypt; New Delhi, India; Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea; and Kigali, Rwanda.
It is the first-ever global comparative programme that develops, implements, and evaluates tools, policies and comprehensive approaches on the prevention of, and response to, sexual harassment and other forms of sexual violence against women and girls across different settings. In 2011, UN Women, UNICEF, and UN-Habitat launched the “Safe and Sustainable Cities for All” joint programme in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil; San José, Costa Rica; Tegucigalpa, Honduras; Nairobi, Kenya; Beirut, Lebanon; Marrakesh, Morocco; Manila, Philippines; and Dushanbe, Tajikistan.
UN Women’s Safe Cities Global Initiative has generated a number of innovative results through partnerships with mayors’ offices, national Governments, women’s groups and other community partners. The municipality of Quito, for example, has amended a local ordinance to strengthen action against sexual harassment in public spaces. New Delhi has integrated Safe Cities approaches in social protection schemes, while Egypt’s Ministry of Housing, Utilities and Urban Development adopted women’s safety audits to guide urban planning. Port Moresby’s National Capital District has taken steps to improve women’s safety in local markets.
UN Women UK National Committee UN Women UK NC is a Registered Charity (England & Wales) No. 1162741