From The Straits Times    |

International womens day march 8 2013

Like the long history women’s rights have had of being championed, so too has Italian fashion house Gucci been known for supporting and engaging with women’s issues.

At this year’s TEDxWomen conference, the brand announced their latest global campaign Chime for Change — a movement to raise funds and awareness for girls’ and women’s empowerment by focusing on improving education, health and justice for women.

Gucci heralds female empowerment with Chime for Change campaign Gucci heralds female empowerment with Chime for Change campaign Gucci heralds female empowerment with Chime for Change campaign
(L-R): Chime for Change co-founders Salma Hayek Pinault, Beyoncé Knowles-Carter and Frida Giannini

Announced just in time for International Women’s Day on March 8, Chime for Change is co-founded by Gucci designer Frida Giannini, music sensation Beyoncé Knowles-Carter and actress Salma Hayek Pinault.

“I have always felt strongly about equal opportunity for women. Girls have to be taught from early on that they are strong and capable of being anything they want to be. It’s up to us to change the statistics for women around the world. I’m honoured to be in the company of women who live fearlessly and set an example for the next generation of young ladies,” said Knowles-Carter.

Working with various other organisations and individuals such as the PPR Corporation Foundation for Women’s Dignity and Rights, the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, Facebook, Hearst Magazines, Catapult and The Huffington Post, Chime for Change goes beyond raising awareness and encourages people throughout the world to support girls’ and women’s projects in a personal way. For example, Strategic partner Catapult connects Chime for Change community members directly to organizations and projects focused on the causes that matter most to them.

As part of the initiative, 10 short films about inspiring girls and women from around the world will be created by a film unit helmed by Hayek Pinault, and the actress will also curate and highlight user-generated short videos submitted to the Chime for Change community.

To be part of the Chime for Change community, visit www.facebook.com/chimeforchange. For more information, visit www.chimeforchange.org.