New campaign wants you to raise funds for abuse victims by ditching the razor

Imagine if raising much-needed money for non-profits was as easy as growing out your body hair for a month.

Well, a new initiative is set to challenge society's standards when it comes to women's body hair --encouraging women to ditch their razors, letting their legs and underarms grow free for the month of February.

SEE ALSO:25 feminist gifts for the nasty woman in your life

Get Hairy February is a double headed awareness-raiser though. Keen participants will generate donations (via the Full Stop Foundation) for the Rape and Domestic Violence Services Australia, who counselling and support services for victims of domestic violence and sexual abuse.

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"Smooth, hair-free skin is a westernised standard of beauty that over 95 percent of Australian women conform to," director of Get Hairy, Alex Andrews, said in a statement.

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"Why? Because in 1915, a large company ran an advertising campaign telling us that hair on a woman’s legs and underarms was 'ugly' and 'embarrassing.'"

The Australian-based initiative, who will accept donations and participants from anywhere in the world, is raising cash from day one.

"The campaign ... has already raised just under $5,000 to help eliminate violence against women," Get Hairy told Mashable via email. "175 women from around Australia have signed up to let it grow this February."

What are you waiting for then?

If you have experienced sexual abuse or domestic violence, you can call the free, confidential National Sexual Assault hotline at 1-800-656-HOPE (4673). For international readers, here is a directory of resources from around the world.

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