Prime Highlights:
- Mara Glennie, founder and CEO of TEARS Foundation, has been honoured with the International Women Icon Award for Best Social Organisation of the Year by Times Women.
- TEARS Foundation provides 24/7 support to survivors of gender-based violence, empowering them with access to care, justice, and education.
Key Facts:
- Since its inception, TEARS Foundation has assisted over 750,000 callers, including 75,000 survivors in the past year alone.
- TEARS Foundation uses innovative tools like a customer relationship management (CRM) system to improve GBV support and strengthen prevention strategies.
Background:
Mara Glennie, founder and CEO of TEARS Foundation, has been awarded the prestigious International Women Icon Award for Best Social Organisation of the Year by Times Women. This award honours people and organisations that make a real difference in their communities and help empower others across the world.
TEARS Foundation, a multi-award-winning organisation, began humbly around Glennie’s dining room table. Its founding was inspired by her own experience with intimate partner violence (IPV), after being turned away from a police station when seeking help. Today, the organisation is a beacon of hope for survivors of gender-based violence (GBV), providing round-the-clock assistance free of charge.
Since its inception, TEARS Foundation has assisted over 750,000 callers, including more than 75,000 survivors in the past year alone. The organisation provides life-saving support through its national helpline, advocacy programmes, training initiatives, and innovative digital tools. One such innovation is TEARS’ customer relationship management (CRM) system, which helps streamline care, strengthen prevention strategies, and improve the accuracy of GBV statistics.
“This recognition belongs to the TEARS team and to every survivor whose strength continues to inspire our work,” said Glennie. “Our mission has always been to ensure that no one has to face violence alone, and awards like this show that our message is being heard globally.”
Despite the challenges of raising financial and other support, TEARS continues to thrive, constantly seeking new ideas and sustainable partnerships. The organisation’s programmes now include corporate training, first responder training, emergency response services, and digital education on GBV prevention, all aimed at creating a safer and more compassionate society.
“The Women Icon Awards honour women and organisations that show strong leadership, innovation, and positive impact. By sharing inspiring stories like Glennie’s, the awards encourage others to make a difference in their communities.
TEARS Foundation’s recognition highlights how women-led organisations can drive social change and support survivors, showing that determination, purpose, and leadership can truly transform lives.
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