OUR MISSION

Women often have a love-hate relationship when it comes to wearing bras. But wearing a bra is important - before they are fashionable, they are functional. And yet, not always affordable. Let’s face it, bras are not always cheap. So as a way to try and make undergarments more accessible, The Brave Project’s mission is to recycle new and gently-used bras by collecting and distributing donated items to women and girls in need in South Africa.

We are also quickly realizing the economic barriers that face many women and girls wanting to participate in sports, and how often the gender-gap in sports is a result of women and girls not having a vital piece of equipment that most of us take for granted: a fitted sports bra. Triathlete writes that, “It’s a fairly simple intervention to give a girl a sports bra, but it’s powerful as well. It lets her know her comfort is important, her changing body is normal, and moving her body should be fun.”

HOW YOU CAN HELP

Rather than throwing away unused or unwanted bras that would ordinarily end up in landfills, donating bras not only empowers women and girls, but it also minimizes waste disposal, saves energy, and lowers our carbon footprint. Our hope is that as we see this project grow and bras become more accessible, people will be inspired to live in more environmentally conscious ways.

COMFORTABLY CONFIDENT

Did you know that girls who are comfortable and confident, as well as girls who play sports, are more likely to get better grades in school and graduate, and are less likely to be involved in unintended pregnancies?  

As we work towards places of equal participation opportunities for men and women, we cannot ignore that the fact that something as simple but important as a bra, essential for comfort and confidence, is often a barrier to socio-cultural learning experiences for women and girls. Let’s see more women and girls feeling #ComfortablyConfident in their bodies as everyone becomes a little bit braver, one bra at a time. If you have any donations, or suggestions and ideas about partnerships, please get in touch here.

Follow us: @the.braveproject