CHARLOTTE, N.C.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--World Shoe, the first footwear brand to manufacture antimicrobial shoes in Africa intended for global consumers, today announced the signing of a new partnership with the Pan African Youth Union (PAYU) Health and Hygiene Impact Project, and their donation of 500,000 shoes to launch the effort.
PAYU’s cross-sector effort employs World Shoe’s innovative WASH&WEAR “bundled” model for accelerating health service interventions, and includes CouldYou?, a global leader in menstrual health and hygiene services and distribution of reusable menstrual cups to adolescent girls.
In addition to World Shoe’s donation of shoes for both genders, CouldYou? will provide 50,000 menstrual cups for girls, and distribution across 15 African countries, including Ghana, Liberia, Uganda, Malawi, Kenya and Nigeria. The countries included in this effort represent 661.2 million people in need of treatment and intervention for neglected tropical diseases (NTDs). Additionally, there are more than 76 million children infected by soil-transmitted helminths (STHs) and 400 million women of menstruating age in these countries.
Through the partnership, World Shoe’s donation of 500,000 shoes is the first step in the Project’s goal of providing 1.5 million shoes and 700,000 menstrual cups to in-need individuals.
“It’s a very significant opportunity for World Shoe to partner with the Pan African Youth Union, the CouldYou? organization, and African governments, to protect the lives of children and give adolescent girls the supplies they need to pursue education with confidence and dignity,” said Manny Ohonme, Founder and President, World Shoe. “By manufacturing both the World Shoe and menstrual cups on the African continent, we are helping those most affected by poverty related diseases to heal and empower themselves."
“The Pan African Youth Union is the continental coordinating body for youth and National Youth Coordinating Mechanisms across Africa and serves as a platform for uniting youth across the continent, amplifying their voices on crucial issues of inclusion, participation and systemic change,” said Bening Ahmed Wiisichong, Secretary-General, Pan African Youth Union. “We are proud to partner with World Shoe and CouldYou? on the WASH&WEAR Impact Project. We know this collaboration will lead to significant outcomes in community health and hygiene specifically for underserved populations such as refugees and adolescent girls.”
Individuals and organizations interested in partnering with World Shoe to help reach the 1.5M goal are encouraged to contact World Shoe directly here.
About World Shoe, Inc.
World Shoe’s mission is to redefine the purpose of style and the power of footwear to achieve sustainable social good. Our shoes are built to survive extraordinary conditions and foster healthier lives, exported for a world of conscious consumers who won’t accept compromise in fashion, function, or impact.
