Why should we care about problems in other countries? Robin Wright & John Prendergast

Here at Pour Les Femmes, we’re often asked, “with so many problems here at home, why is it important to help people in other countries?”  In this episode of Pillow Talk by Pour Les Femmes, Robin Wright talks with activist John Prendergast about the war in Eastern Congo that began in the late 1990s. Often called Africa’s First World War, the resulting devastation of the lives of the people in the region made such an impression on Robin that she joined with John in his efforts to amplify the voices of the women on their plight in one of the poorest countries in the world.  Through his efforts with The Enough Project and The Sentry, John Prendergast has been at the center of efforts to shine a light on and disrupt the economic drivers of war in mineral-rich African countries. In particular, he's been outspoken about the need for the global consumer electronics industry to develop and maintain a clean supply chain, especially where so-called "conflict minerals" are concerned, in order to create conditions for peace, human rights, and good governance in nations that have long struggled to provide even a basic standard of living for its citizens.  Eradicating poverty is the goal that leaders from countries around the world have identified as most critical for the peace and prosperity of the planet. That's why creating opportunities for people in places like the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) to work and earn a living is so critical.   Pour Les Femmes supports the goal of decent work and economic growth through its partnership with small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) like the GiveWork program in the DRC which provides 1 to 3 days of work at fair wages with every garment they produce. This allows the women of the GiveWork program to support themselves and their families, obtain an education, and break their country’s cycle of poverty and violence.   In a world that’s more interlinked than ever, it’s important that we make choices that support sustainability and encourage dignity, peace, and prosperity for everyone on the planet.

Pour Les Femmes is a female-founded sleep and loungewear company with a founding mission of helping improve the lives of women around the world. Our brand ethos of safety and comfort extends to the actions we take to work with partners that provide opportunities for decent work, safety, stability, and advancement to women in places where they are most vulnerable.

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