PROJECT FUTURES gives hope by transforming the lives of women and children in Cambodia and Australia affected by sexual slavery, trafficking and exploitation.
Funds raised support established projects that work to prevent, support and empower victims, survivors and those at-risk.
In partnership with AFESIP Cambodia; an organisation based on the vision and life’s work of Cambodian survivor and activist Somaly Mam, PROJECT FUTURES helps provide safe and secure housing, confidential psychological support, routine and emergency medical treatments, as well as professional legal assistance and opportunities for education and training women and girls.
Money from this event will help AFESIP continue this valuable work in Cambodia.
You are invited to join us for an afternoon in the company of Cambodian-born human rights activist and survivor of sex slavery, Somaly Mam as we discuss the causes and consequences of doing nothing to extend the rights of women and girls in the developing and western world.
Joining her will be iconic Melbourne business owner, Cristina Re who will discuss the importance of empowering and giving a voice to women, as well as social entrepreneur and founder of cause-marketing platform i=change, Jeremy Meltzer.
Audiences will leave with a renewed sense of purpose, an appreciation of the resilience needed to overcome adversity in its many forms and how we can each play a role in changing the status quo.
99% of victims of sexual exploitation are women and 21% are children.
One overriding factor in the proliferation of trafficking or disempowerment of women is the fundamental belief that the lives of women and girls are expendable.
In societies where women and girls are undervalued or not valued at all, women are at greater risk for being abused, trafficked, or coerced into sex slavery.
Weak law enforcement, corruption, grinding poverty and the fractured social institutions left by the country’s turbulent recent history has helped earn Cambodia an unwelcome reputation for child trafficking and sexual abuse.
Date: Sunday 18th March 2018
Time: 1-4pm
Location: Mon Bijou, Penthouse
Level 11, 187 Flinders Lane, Victoria
Cost: $95 per person
Inclusions: Unlimited wine, sparkling, beer and soft drink;
PLUS a selection of canapés
International human rights activist, founder, best-selling author and fearless survivor of sex slavery
Born into a tribal minority family and sold at the age of 12, Somaly is a survivor of sexual slavery and a human rights activist.
Forced to work in a brothel along with other children for nearly a decade, she was brutally tortured and raped on a daily basis.
After escaping the industry with the help of a foreigner, she went onto establish AFESIP Cambodia (Acting for Women in Distressing Situations) to rehabilitate and reintegrate children and young girls who have been rescued from the sex trade.
She has dedicated her life's work to supporting victims by providing a safe space to start the heading process and empowering survivors to become agents of change.
Founder of i=Change
Jeremy is an inspiring and committed advocate for women’s rights globally. He is Founder of i=Change, Australia’s fastest-growing social enterprise tech startup funding global women & girls’ development projects.
By creating a new and innovative way for retailers to give back, i=Change has created a new funding stream for best-practice NGO’s, focused on women and girls’ development.
In partnership with iconic brands like Pandora Jewellery, i=Change is now growing fast - already impacting the lives of over 90,000 women and girls in 14 countries, and counting.
A disruptive innovator and social entrepreneur, Jeremy has given a TEDx talks, urging men to become the solution to end violence against women, addressed the Indian, Australian and Hong Kong media and contributed to publications like The Sydney Morning Herald, Business View Magazine and The Collective.
Founder and Director of Cristina Re
From stationery to homewares, Cristina Re is one of Australia's leading designer giftware brands. The iconic company has established itself through a unique feminine style, decorative patterns and beautiful packaging.
After 20 years of creating, the brand sells into over 1000 boutiques as well as major stores including David Jones, Office Works and Target to name a few.
Cristina is a combination of artist and successful entrepreneur. The philosophy behind her work is to create everyday objects that are both feminine and beautiful, and designed to make you feel good.
She is driven to inspire people through her work and ultimately help women and children throughout the world by giving back; joyfully supporting causes closest to her heart.