AIG teams up with UN Women

Insurance giant AIG is partnering with UN Women to support an initiative which educates communities about human trafficking in Thailand and raises funds to fight the abhorrent crime.

The UN Women Ride for Rights Initiative is a 10-day bicycle ride through Thailand, in which participants witness the work of UN Women and see the impact of the Women for Change Program.

As part of the partnership, AIG is providing free travel insurance for all participants throughout their 380km journey from Chiang Mai to Chiang Rai.

The insurer also held an internal competition to win a fully-financed spot on the trip – Louise Lumley (pictured), an underwriter from AIG’s financial lines team, was the lucky recipient.

Speaking to Insurance Business, Lumley said her passion for support women’s rights was sparked many years ago, after she had the opportunity to visit a safe house for women and girls in Tanzania.

“Meeting the young women there, and seeing their strength and courage to keep fighting uphill battles every day, just to get to school or have basic safety, completely changed my outlook,” she said. “Having realised how privileged I am, I have felt that I owe it to the young women I met and those like them around the world to support them in their fights and to pay it forward.”

Lumley also praised AIG employees and executives, saying the entire organisation had thrown its support behind her since day one.

“The number of supportive emails, and the willingness of everyone to put their time and money where their mouth is, in support of my fundraising efforts has completely blown me away,” she said. “It’s heart-warming to get such support for a great cause from people that you have never even met. AIG truly is a workplace full of kind and generous people.”

Discussing the partnership, CEO Noel Condon said it ties in well with the work of AIG’s Women & Allies Employee Resource Group.

“Our Women & Allies Employee Resource Group is leading the support of Louise’s participation and views this as a great opportunity to raise awareness of the prevalence and impact of human trafficking on young girls and women,” he told Insurance Business. “The mission of the W&A ERG is to create and foster a community of professionals with a shared interest in the professional development, attraction and retention of women at AIG, while providing the benefits of a strong and committed network.”

Louise has officially launched her fundraising page, for anyone who would like to learn more about the initiative or support Louise’s efforts.