OH! Magazine - Australian Version August 2018 | Page 29

( HEALTH )
DOES YOUR HANDBAG HELP
WOMEN IN CRISIS?
Share the Dignity has released a stunning handbag collection to further
support women in crisis.
f there’s one fashion item all
women depend on, it’s the humble
handbag. However, when it comes to
women experiencing domestic violence or
homelessness, the handbag isn’t just a
fashion statement, it’s a symbol of dignity
and normalcy when their world is
crumbling. To support these women in
need, Australian not-for-profit Share The
Dignity has released a new handbag
collection, called ‘Handbags With Heart’.
Each of the seven handbags featured in
the collection are designed by Share The
Dignity’s founder Rochelle Courtenay,
and are inspired by the stories of women
whose lives have been changed after
receiving help from the charity.
I
‘The bags are fashion-forward, have our
signature pink lining (which makes it easy
to find that tampon rolling around at the
bottom), have oodles of handy pockets
and the best feature about them is that
they help women in need – a sister you’re
never going to meet but whose life you’ll
definitely change,’ explains Rochelle.
The ‘Gabi’ handbag was inspired by a
woman experiencing homelessness who
now has a home and a job, and is giving
back to other women in need. The ‘Jane’
handbag is inspired by a courageous
woman who left an abusive home with her
two young boys. The ‘Paula’ bag was
inspired by a woman whose endometriosis
symptoms are so debilitating she spends
every last cent on sanitary products. The
‘Wendy’ bag is inspired by a woman who
lived in her car with her two children after
fleeing domestic violence. The ‘Nadine’
bag is inspired by a woman who escaped
domestic violence and, with Share The
Dignity’s help, rebuilt her life.
The Handbags With Heart collection is
available from Share The Dignity’s website
and there’s something for every woman
and pricepoint, clutches start at $29.95
through to leather handbags for $299. All
the proceeds go to Share The Dignity to
help them continue to supply women with
pads and tampons, pay for the funerals of
those killed by domestic violence, and
help children heal from the trauma of
domestic violence through activities.
‘Most Australian women own a handbag,
by purchasing a Handbag With Heart
you’ll be helping Share The Dignity
continue the work we do as a non-
government funded charity,’ explains
Rochelle.
Share The Dignity has collected 1.2
million packets of pads and tampons,
250,000 ‘It’s In The Bag’ Christmas
Appeal donations, and has now installed
60 Dignity vending machines around
Australia in poverty-stricken areas.
The charity has also raised $20 million
to-date, which is going towards addressing
period poverty – because all women
deserve to live safely and with dignity.
To view the collection, purchase a bag, or
for more information visit
www.sharethedignity.com.au
Share the Digntiy ensures everyone is
afforded the dignity so many of us take for
granted. Their work directly benefits
women in crisis. Every. Single. Day. Share
The Dignity collects thousands of pads,
tampons and personal hygiene products
every year, for women experiencing
homelessness and poverty. Small dignities
make a big difference. Share the Dignity
funds funerals for victims of domestic
violence and campaigns for justice for
women in Australia. When you donate to
Share the Dignity you are donating to a
women’s charity that makes a real, on-the-
ground difference to homeless women and
victims of domestic violence.
OH! MAGAZINE ( AUGUST 2018 )
29