The SheEO SleepOut is calling all female business leaders for a sleep out on the eve of Women’s Day
JOBURG – The Event chose to focus on women this year, to offer a platform for current female business leaders, and future female business leaders, to come together for change.
The Minister of Women in the Presidency, Susan Shabangu, suggested that The SheEO SleepOut be moved to 8 August, the eve of Women’s Day in South Africa.
This decision was supported by CNBC Africa, Advocate Thuli Madonsela, Yusuf Abramjee and Professor Justice Yvonne Mokgoro, who will be taking part in helping raise funds and awareness for the communities in need.
This year, The CEO SleepOut, driven by The Philanthropic Collection, is focusing on an exciting special chapter, The SheEO SleepOut. This time they are calling on female business leaders to rise to the challenge by sleeping outside the Union Buildings for one night.
Read: 2016 CEO SleepOut creates change for the homeless
In a statement, the organisation said that the objective of the initiative is to bring about much-needed awareness and encourage the nation to support and empower vulnerable communities around the country. In addition to this, they also aim to raise funds for Door of Hope, an NGO in Berea that strives to provide much-needed care for abandoned babies.
The sleepout will offer a platform for current female business leaders and future female business leaders, to come together for change.
“I support the SheEO SleepOut. I am also excited to see female business leaders in South Africa and influencers come together to discuss solutions for change. In light of the recent violence against women in the country, I believe this event is even more important at the moment,” Shabangu said, before inviting The SheEO SleepOut to move the date of the event to August.
Philanthropist and founder of The Philanthropic Collection, Ali Gregg added, “The attacks on women in South Africa that have been highlighted recently have shown us that the SheEO SleepOut is more important than ever. While abuse of women is a problem for both men and women, this event can become a space for women influencers to discuss change for their sisters, mothers and daughters.”
Luke Lamprecht, CEO SleepOut beneficiary consultant and child protection specialist said, “The challenge is we often do not know the reasons behind abandonment. What we do seem sure of is that men abandon the women before women abandon their children. Often these women are also abandoned by their families and are left with no support.”
SheEO SleepOut brand ambassador, Madonsela added, “Often we think government needs to solve all the problems but we all need to play a role. And when it comes to issues of troubled families and communities, we are closer, as community members, to these problems and we can do something.”
CEO of the SABC Foundation, Iris Cupido weighed in. “We are excited to partner with The SheEO SleepOut, and call on the country’s current and future businesswomen to stand together on the eve of Women’s Day, to show their solidarity with all South African women at this time.”
The SheEO SleepOut will now officially take place on 8 August.
