Paris Saint-Germain makes a donation to the Fondation des Femmes
The two foundations recently launched a joint programme after working together for over a year, stepping up their commitment to the victims of domestic violence. The aim is to embark on a lasting and effective partnership.
As part of an initiative promoted by Paris Saint-Germain Chairman and CEO Nasser Al-Khelaifi and supported by charities and the club’s community, several of the women’s first team’s international players – Kadidiatou Diani and Perle Morroni – took on the role of spokespersons for French women’s charity Fondation des Femmes during lockdown. The players used their social media accounts to promote the emergency number 3919, the support website commentonsaime.fr and the App-Elles smartphone app. This is not the first time that the club’s players have teamed up with Fondation des Femmes, with Irene Paredes and Arianna Criscione taking part in La Nuit des Relais in November 2019, a run organised to raise awareness of violence against women.
Since the end of May, the partnership between Paris Saint-Germain and Fondation des Femmes has taken on a new dimension and become even more ambitious in its scope thanks to a wide-ranging plan designed to offer support to women and children suffering domestic abuse. Forced to leave their homes during the health crisis, these families have suddenly found themselves without a roof over their heads and without resources. They have been taken care of by the URSF (Regional Union of Women’s Solidarity), a partner of the Fondation des Femmes for its emergency campaign #ToutesSolidaires set up at the beginning of the epidemic. Joining forces with Fondation des Femmes, Paris Saint-Germain has come to their aid. Thanks to the partnership they have forged, the two foundations have in the last few weeks helped 64 women and 84 children in need of a lasting solution to their acute housing problems.
Prompted by its President, Paris Saint-Germain has been responding to the health crisis since day one and is particularly sensitive to the distress caused to children and women who are exposed to domestic violence, sometimes in danger of death. Fully committed to tackling the problem with its teams, partners and employees, the club has come up with an immediate response.
Sabrina Delannoy, deputy director of the Paris Saint-Germain Foundation, said: “Committed and civic-minded, Paris Saint-Germain stands side by side with society’s most vulnerable members. We are fully aware that lockdown has only made domestic violence worse and heightened the difficulties faced by the women and children who suffer at its hands. Given the situation, it was only natural for Paris Saint-Germain to team up with Fondation des Femmes, having worked with them for over a year now. We have put a programme together and share the same ambition of enabling these families to settle down, rebuild their lives and find long-term solutions.”
Anne-Cécile Mailfert, president of Fondation des Femmes, commented: “The unprecedented programme we are launching in partnership with Paris Saint-Germain will help domestic violence victims and their and children. Tragically, the situations they face have only become worse over the last few weeks. As we emerge from lockdown, grassroots charities are receiving a significant number of calls from women who can finally raise the alarm about the seriousness of their situation. It is vital that we follow up and offer them even more support, and the Paris Saint-Germain Foundation makes a significant contribution in that respect.”
Joined by its Official Partner Nivea Men, Paris Saint-Germain has provided material support and comfort to the women and children receiving assistance from Fondation des Femmes and its partner charities. Nivea Men has delivered more than 1,000 hygiene and personal care products to families taken into care.
The Paris Saint-Germain Foundation has also been using its know-how to help disadvantaged youngsters through a teaching and recreational programme aimed at children receiving support from Fondation des Femmes. Attending two residences that are home to dozens of families, our foundation’s teachers run sporting (football, bike, fitness, archery,..) and leisure activities (freestyle shows, painting, various games and manual works..) for children and their mothers. PSG-branded clothes, shoes and toys have also been distributed to the mothers and their children.