IKEA Canada partners with Canadian Women's Foundation to Support Women in Local Communities Français
Celebrating International Women's Day, IKEA Canada Works Toward Building a More Inclusive and Equal World
BURLINGTON, ON, March 7, 2018 /CNW/ - In honour of International Women's Day, IKEA Canada is pleased to announce its partnership with the Canadian Women's Foundation, a public foundation aligned with IKEA's inherent belief in empowering women. In an effort to minimize barriers for gender equality, IKEA will donate a value of $55,000 in needed home furnishings to 13 local organizations - including self-employment programs for women who live with a low-income, organizations that provide shelter and support to women who have experienced abuse, and violence prevention programs – each within 10 KM of an IKEA store.
"We are so pleased to partner with an organization that aligns with our vision to create a better everyday life for the many people in society. We are committed to making a positive difference in the communities where we operate and we look forward to working with the Canadian Women's Foundation to work toward a more gender-equal world," said Marsha Smith, President of IKEA Canada.
IKEA strongly believes that equality is a human right and has committed globally to gender equality in all positions, equal opportunities and equal pay by 2020. IKEA Canada is proud that today 55 per cent of its co-workers and 53 per cent of its managers are women. Equality is interwoven into IKEA's business approach and HR practices and policies, with a strong focus on diversity and inclusion.
"At IKEA, we believe that gender equality is good for our co-workers, our customers and our business," said Marsha Smith, President of IKEA Canada. "Gender equality is about creating an inclusive culture where both women and men are valued for their unique contributions. We know that when diversity is embraced, companies see better financial performance, talent recruitment, retention and customer loyalty."
The company's partnership with the Canadian Women's Foundation, which aims to help women and girls in Canada move out of violence, out of poverty and into confidence and leadership, is focused on fostering that inclusivity among genders.
"It's going to take major effort from all of us – businesses included - to reach a gender-equal society. Together, with partners like IKEA, the Canadian Women's Foundation can help build a more equal Canada," says Paulette Senior, President and CEO of the Canadian Women's Foundation.
IKEA Canada will be providing home furnishings for 13 different local organizations. These projects include:
- Furnishing a lounge that will promote inclusiveness and opportunities for women to connect at the Centre for Skills Development and Training in Burlington.
- Donating home furnishings to a support group for young women who are preparing to transition out of government care at the PLEA Community Services Society BC in Richmond.
- Helping create a child-friendly space for women and children who are victims of intimate partner or family violence including an area for children to spend time while their mothers work with The Shield of Athena Family Services in Montreal.
IKEA Canada and the Canadian Women's Foundation are actively working with organizations across the country and are on track to implement these projects this spring.
Full List of Canadian Women's Foundation Partner Organizations
- Action jeunesse St-Pie X de Longueuil inc. – IKEA Boucherville
- The Centre for Skills Development and Training – IKEA Burlington
- Immigrant Services Calgary – IKEA Calgary
- Safe Choice Transition House – IKEA Coquitlam
- Multicultural Family Resource Society – IKEA Edmonton
- The Redwood – IKEA Etobicoke
- Alice Housing – IKEA Halifax
- The Shield of Athena Family Services – IKEA Montreal
- North York Community House – IKEA North York
- Elizabeth Fry Society of Ottawa – IKEA Ottawa
- PLEA Community Services Society BC – IKEA Richmond
- Yellow Brick House – IKEA Vaughan
- Wii Chiiwaakanak Learning Centre – IKEA Winnipeg
ABOUT IKEA CANADA
IKEA Group is a leading home furnishing retailer with 357 stores in more than 29 countries worldwide, which are visited by 817 million people every year. IKEA Canada has 13 stores, an eCommerce virtual store, six Pick-up and order points and 13 Collection Points. The company also announced plans to open new stores in Quebec City and London, Ontario. Last year, IKEA Canada welcomed 28 million visitors to its stores and 95 million visitors to the IKEA.ca website. Founded in 1943, IKEA's business philosophy is to offer a wide range of products of good design and function at prices so low, the majority of people can afford them. For more information on IKEA Canada, please visit: www.IKEA.ca.
SOURCE IKEA Canada
Kristin Newbigging, Public Relations Manager, 416-820-1730, [email protected]
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