cosnova says no

"Creating a world in which women can live without fear!"

At cosnova, we have been committed to the mission to "Make everyone feel more beautiful" for over 20 years. But before we can feel beautiful, basic human needs such as safety and integrity must be met. That is why we have launched the initiative "cosnova says NO - united to end violence against women" in collaboration with the Union of German Zonta Clubs.

We want to take a stand against violence against women, raise awareness and help women in need financially by making an annual donation to a women's shelter fund.

Violence can affect any woman, regardless of her origins, socio-economic background or age. It is a social problem, but one that is generally kept quiet and ignored. We are committed to breaking the taboo!

  • Astrid Haury, Senior Manager Corporate Responsibility at cosnova

    “With our initiative, we want to help establish violence against women as a social problem in public discourse. Our channels have a wide reach, and we primarily address young female target groups – which is precisely where we see our responsibility. We want to educate, raise awareness and give those affected a voice. We believe that prevention is the key to tackling the problem at its roots. Together with experienced partners such as the Zonta Union and the Frauenhauskoordinierung (Women's Shelter Coordination), we are actively working to ensure that women can look forward to an equal and violence-free future.”

    Astrid Haury, Senior Manager Corporate Responsibility at cosnova

  • Dr. Susanne v. Bassewitz Advocacy Officer, Union deutscher Zonta Clubs

    „We need a new concept of masculinity to prevent violence against women in the long term.“

    Dr. Susanne v. Bassewitz Advocacy Officer, Union deutscher Zonta Clubs

  • Sarah Bora, Musician & Eentrepreneur

    „Taking part in “cosnova says NO” is particularly important to me because I myself was a victim of domestic violence for almost ten years. I try to use my voice and my personal experience to reach as many women as possible, to educate them and hopefully save them from violence – for example by learning to recognise the early warning signs – or at least to show them a way out of the spiral of violence.”

    Sarah Bora, Musician & Eentrepreneur

  • Nina Meinke, Professional Boxer and reigning World Champion

    “I think the most important thing is that society does not look the other way. Unfortunately, this is still often the case. We need to talk openly about violence against women. It shouldn't be a taboo subject. There are certainly many cases where people know something but don't dare to do anything, leaving the woman alone in her situation. If victims feel that they are not alone, it is easier for them to turn to the outside world for help.”

    Nina Meinke, Professional Boxer and reigning World Champion

  • Bettina Weiguny, President of the Zonta Club Bad Soden-Kronberg

    "We need to educate children from an early age, we need violence prevention and we need a different understanding of masculinity. The commitment of cosnova is exemplary. We are delighted to be working together to promote projects that focus on violence prevention. We would also like to encourage other companies to support the “Zonta says No” initiative and take a stand against violence, both internally and externally.”

    Bettina Weiguny, President of the Zonta Club Bad Soden-Kronberg

  • Katja Kamphans, President of Zonta Germany

    "Combating and preventing violence against women is a task for society as a whole. We must finally take a closer look, talk about it and consistently stand by those who are affected. This is the contribution that each and every one of us can make. The fact that cosnova is making such a generous donation and is also taking a clear stand against violence against women, both internally and externally, is exemplary. We are very grateful to cosnova and are delighted about this partnership."

    Katja Kamphans, President of Zonta Germany

  • Yvonne Wutzler, Chief Marketing Officer, cosnova

    "The impulse to take a stand against violence against women and girls came from our employees. We immediately decided that as a company that reaches so many women every day, we wanted to take action. The response and commitment of our colleagues from the most diverse departments has been incredible.”

    Yvonne Wutzler, Chief Marketing Officer, cosnova

  • Sibylle Schreiber, Managing Director of Frauenhauskoordinierung e.V.

    “Protection from violence in the home should be a matter of course in Germany - for every woman, regardless of age, background or income. But the reality is that many women and their children who experience violence seek help in vain. They often have to pay for their own protection in a women's shelter. But safety should not be a question of wealth! The cosnova fund is making an invaluable contribution to ensuring that all women who have the courage to leave their violent partners have the chance of safety and a new beginning.”

    Sibylle Schreiber, Managing Director of Frauenhauskoordinierung e.V.

Actively supporting the campaign

Interview with Sarah Bora and Nina Meinke

In 2024, our initiative is supported by two well-known personalities: Sarah Bora, entrepreneur, co-founder of #dienächste (#thenextone) and a former victim herself, is once again part of the campaign. In addition, cosnova was able to get professional boxer and world champion Nina Meinke on board. The two women talk about what motivated them to become part of the campaign, where they think the prevention of violence against women should start, and how we as a society can deal with the issue.

Our donation

In 2024, another 100,000 Euros will go to a fund set up by Frauenhauskoordinierung e.V. to support women and their children who cannot afford to stay in a women's shelter. 50,000 Euros have already been drawn from the fund* since it was set up in 2023.

20,000 euros will go towards violence prevention projects organized by the Union of German Zonta Clubs.

The cosnova donation comes from the sales of orange nail polishes in the standard essence and Catrice range.

Emergency aid for women and children in women's shelters

The Frauenhauskoordinierung e.V. fund supports women who cannot afford the often very expensive stay in a women's shelter. Real-life examples illustrate the precarious situations the women are in and how much they are dependent on help from the fund.

To the examples

  • Our awareness campaign
    The campaign starts on 25 November, the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women and continues seamlessly for the "16 Days of Activism" organised by UN Women. We are continuously raising awareness of this topic, providing information and giving victims a voice.

  • The colour of our initiative
    Inspired by the UN Women “Orange the World” campaign, which takes a stand against violence against women, orange is also our colour.

  • The supporters of our campaign
    The social commitment was initiated by cosnova employees. 21 women and men from cosnova are the faces of the campaign. They are also supported by well-known personalities such as activist and entrepreneur Sarah Bora and professional boxer and world champion Nina Meinke.

Emergency Support for Women and Children

Immediate assistance for women and children seeking refuge in women's shelters

Last year, cosnova donated 100,000 Euros to support women who cannot afford the often expensive stay in a women's shelter. Concrete examples illustrate the threatening situations these women find themselves in and how much they depend on help from the fund.

Good to know

Violence against women

One in three women in Germany has experienced violence at least once in her life. That exceeds 12 million women. Every four minutes, a woman experiences intimate partner violence in Germany. 

Women’s shelters in Germany

In 2021, 6,431 women and 7,572 children found refuge in one of Germany's 380 women's shelters. It costs up to 100 Euros per person daily to stay in a women's shelter. Women who do not receive social benefits, such as students, asylum seekers, self-employed and working women, have to pay the costs themselves.

Getting help

The "Violence Against Women" helpline offers free, anonymous advice around the clock on 116 016, also online, in 18 languages, without appearing on the phone bill.

Information and a list of women's shelters and counseling centers in Germany can be found at www.frauenhauskorrdinierung.de

It is possible to discreetly ask for help from the public, for example, with the "Signal for help". You open the palm of your hand, place your thumb in it, and fold the other fingers over it.

 

Press Release

United to end violence against women:
cosnova supports Zonta Germany and calls for action

 

https://www.cosnova.com/en/company/cosnova-says-no-interview-with-sarah-bora-and-nina-meinke

German Prize for Business Communication 2024

Initiative “cosnova says NO” receives award

cosnova was honored with the German Prize for Business Communication (Deutscher Preis für Wirtschaftskommunikation) in the category “Social & Environmental Communication” for its campaign surrounding “cosnova says NO”.