Private Sector Tackling Domestic Violence: Vodafone Foundation’s Tech and Workplace Innovations

As part of the 2024 WEPs Deep-Dive Webinar Series, UN Women’s WEPs (Women’s Empowerment Principles) and HeForShe organized a webinar titled Private Sector Tackles Violence Against Women Head-On – Emerging Practices. The event highlighted the crucial role businesses play in addressing violence against women and girls. This pivotal session, held during the annual 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence campaign, showcased innovative approaches by private-sector organizations to address this global crisis.

Among the speakers was Lisa Felton, Director of the Vodafone Foundation, who highlighted the transformative role of technology and workplace policies in addressing domestic violence. As a member of the HeForShe Alliance, Vodafone exemplifies how corporate influence can drive meaningful social change.

The Vodafone Foundation’s flagship initiative, the Bright Sky app, exemplifies this dedication. Available in 13 markets and utilized by more than 1.2 million users, Bright Sky provides vital resources for survivors, including local support information, advice, and tools to document abuse securely.

“Bright Sky is about supporting people who experience domestic abuse or are worried about others. It provides various ways to help, creating a safe and accessible resource for those in need.” – Lisa Felton, Director of the Vodafone Foundation

Vodafone’s efforts extend beyond technology. The company commissioned groundbreaking research in 2019, revealing the staggering global impact of domestic abuse, with over 18 million women affected across 107 countries and an economic loss exceeding $1.6 billion annually. Vodafone also supported recent groundbreaking research conducted by HeForShe and UN Women, examining FTSE 100 companies’ support for employees experiencing domestic violence and abuse. The report, Small Steps, Big Difference, sheds light on what leading companies are doing to address this critical issue.

Vodafone is expanding its survivor support network by training employees beyond HR and managers to become "allies for survivors at work." These allies are equipped to Recognize, Respond, and Refer survivors to the appropriate support. Through tailored training, allies learn to identify signs of abuse—such as unexplained absences, changes in behavior, or disruptions during remote work—and to provide compassionate assistance using workplace policies, flexible arrangements, and confidential referrals to specialized services. This initiative ensures comprehensive support, whether employees work in-office, remotely, or in hybrid environments.

As the world approaches the 30th anniversary of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action, the Vodafone Foundation demonstrates how businesses can lead by example, creating safer communities and workplaces. The 2024 WEPs Deep-Dive Webinar underscored a powerful message: the fight against gender-based violence requires collective action. This WEPs resource, Gender-Based Violence and Harassment at Work: Policy Template, offers businesses a roadmap to develop effective workplace policies addressing gender-based violence. Through policies, technology, and advocacy, the private sector can be a driving force for change—championing safety, equality, and empowerment for all.