MIYAGI-JONET: A meeting with Unilever Japan‘s CEO in Tanigawahama

What is Miyagi-Jonet?

MIYAGI JO-NET (Miyagi Women’s Support Network) is a non-profit organisation supporting women in the Tohoku area that was devastated by the earthquake and tsunami on March 11, 2011. We aim to connect the women in the affected areas with women and supporters from around Japan and the world. To this end, we are cooperating with various other women’s and relief organisations. Our many projects are designed to help women individually in reconstructing their lives and livelihoods. We thereby hope to brighten their everyday a little bit. We also collect relief/support goods and other donations to distribute them among the women and families affected by the disaster. Through regular meetings, our ‘salons,’ and consultations, we gain insight into women’s needs and concerns, and propose adequate measures to local and regional administrations.
Many of Miyagi Jonet’s members are women affected themselves by the disaster.

日本語　JAPANESE

11 Sept 2011

A meeting with Unilever Japan‘s CEO in Tanigawahama

“If a disaster strikes the people in charge are the first who have to action, visit that area and think how they can help the people there“ that is the position of Unilever.

Even the CEO of Unilever himself participates in removing mud. There are also 14 women who are working alongside the men. They have taken days off and are here as volunteers.

It was a hot day with the sun shining fiercely. We asked them if they‘re not worried about getting sunburn or breaking their nails, but the women replied, “If we were worried about such things, we wouldn‘t have come here. It feels good to sweat a bit. All of the female colleagues wanted to come here.”