Onet Brazil helps women victims of violence to reintegrate into society
The situation of women in Brazil has seriously deteriorated as a result of the health crisis. Domestic violence has increased as a result of containment measures. Onet Brazil is committed to this cause, and has set up a recruitment program designed to reintegrate these vulnerable women into working life. This initiative was undertaken with the support of three Brazilian associations.
Domestic violence has continued to worsen since the start of the pandemic. The 22% increase in recorded complaints can be explained by forced cohabitation with their abusive spouses.
This rate rises to 50% in the megalopolis of Rio de Janeiro. According to the World Health Organization, Brazil is the fifth country in the world most affected by feminicide. This domestic violence is rife in all social strata, including the most affluent (lawyers, advertisers, etc.).
Aware of this issue from 2019, Onet Brazil has committed to concrete actions in 2020.
"It's all about helping women break free from the vicious circle of domestic violence. By offering jobs to these people, we help them break free from the family yoke by making them financially independent."
Far from taking the place of specialized associations, we can act as a resource, a place where people can talk and listen. We provide invaluable support for victims, and help them connect with local players.
Onet has teamed up with three São Paulo-based associations dedicated to caring for and supporting female victims of domestic violence. Tem Saída, the Maison de la Femme Brésilienne and the Institut Maria da Penha offer specific initiatives to support victims in their reintegration.
Eight new hires in 2021 and more to come
The Tem Saída association is developing a public policy aimed at financial independence by supporting the employability of women in situations of domestic and family violence.
It receives a list of job offers and selects the most suitable candidates referred by the Brazilian Women's House. The latter association selects the women after a psychological evaluation process. " It ensures that these women are capable of returning to work," explains Julia.
The Maison de la Femme Brésilienne brings together in a single space a range of specialized services to deal with all the problems associated with these women's broken lives: reception, psychological support, temporary accommodation, transport, childcare facilities, toy library, collaboration with the police, the domestic violence court and the Public Prosecutor's Office.
Onet Brazil also works with the Maria da Penha Institute, a non-governmental organization, to raise awareness of this sensitive issue among Group employees, and ensures that the integration of these women takes place smoothly, while respecting their personal lives.
"We decided to act because gender equality issues are at the heart of the Group's commitments, and Onet Brazil employs 4,100 women in Brazil, i.e. over 58% of the workforce. Since the launch of this operation, eight cleaners have already been recruited, and more are planned in the coming weeks. Our ambition is to integrate 10% of these women into our workforce, a long-term initiative. Informing and raising the awareness of all our employees is an essential first step in this commitment," adds Julia.
Action also supported in France
In France, during the first confinement in March 2020, the Olympique de Marseille training center (also known as La Commanderie) welcomed women victims of domestic violence into its building, unoccupied by young footballers.
Olympique de Marseille has made 44 beds available to SOS Femmes 13, the leading association in the Bouches-du-Rhône region for receiving, listening to and housing abused women.
Some twenty women and children have been accommodated in the center until the soccer season resumes. Onet, with the help of the Onet Foundation, wanted to contribute to this initiative, and took charge of hygiene and cleanliness services for the families.