GUELPH, ON, Dec. 8, 2016 /CNW/ - Today, The Co-operators announced a donation of $25,000 to the Canadian Museum for Human Rights in Winnipeg. The funding will support the Empowering Women: Artisan Cooperatives that Transform Communities exhibit, which is currently on display, as well as youth engagement and the museum's Level One Gallery.

The Empowering Women exhibit features the work of women artisans from around the world who have formed co-operatives to create better lives for themselves and transform their communities. The creations of female weavers, painters, embroiderers, quilters and jewelry makers from Africa, Asia and the Americas are featured, along with their inspiring stories of collaboration and empowerment.

Education is at the very heart of the Museum for Human Rights, and 50,000 students have visited since its opening two years ago. The Level One Gallery enhances student learning with dynamic experiences for young visitors to its temporary educational exhibits.

"People around the world come together to form co-operatives as a way of improving their standards of living and building more equitable societies," said Rob Wesseling, president and CEO of The Co-operators. "The Empowering Women exhibit is a vibrant way of telling the stories of women artisans who, through grassroots co-ops, are leveraging their abilities to create beautiful hand-made items to improve their lives and advance human rights in their communities."

The Canadian Museum for Human Rights, which opened in September 2014, is the first museum solely dedicated to the evolution, celebration and future of human rights. Empowering Women will remain on display until January 8, 2017.

About The Co-operators:
The Co-operators Group Ltd. is a Canadian co-operative with more than $44 billion in assets under administration. Through its group of companies it offers home, auto, life, group, travel, commercial and farm insurance, as well as investment products. The Co-operators is well known for its community involvement and its commitment to sustainability. The Co-operators is listed among the Best Employers in Canada by Aon Hewitt; Corporate Knights' Best 50 Corporate Citizens in Canada; and the Top 50 Socially Responsible Corporations in Canada by Sustainalytics and Maclean's magazine. For more information, visit www.cooperators.ca.

SOURCE The Co-operators