L’Oréal launched three-year charitable endowment fund of 50 million euros as part of L’Oréal for the Future, the Group’s 2030 sustainable development roadmap, to alleviate the challenges that Covid-19 brought to many women around the world The UAE fosters an excellent environment in which this program could thrive testament to its leading efforts to propel female empowerment
April 20th, 2021, Dubai (UAE): As part of L’Oréal’s ongoing efforts and commitment to support women’s rights, L’Oréal Fund For Women has pledged AED1.24 million to Shamsaha, a non-profit corporation based in Bahrain, to support its mission in protecting, advocating and empowering women in the GCC.
The COVID-19 pandemic exacerbated existing inequalities, affecting women socially and economically at a disproportionate level as well as increased cases of domestic abuse. Against this backdrop and under “L’Oréal For the Future” program, the 2030 sustainable development roadmap, the Group launched the L’Oréal Fund for Women in 2020, a three-year charitable endowment fund of 50 million euros to support highly vulnerable women around the world.
Shamsaha, the only organization of its kind in the region which provides 24/7 crisis support for victims of abuse and domestic violence, will utilize the funds to expand the crisis program’s services and on-ground operations to the UAE as well as KSA, Oman, and Kuwait. The expansion plan will include forging partnerships with key resource providers to offer victims medical, therapeutic, and legal support as well as food, supplies and transportation. This program could especially thrive in the UAE testament to its pioneering efforts in driving the female empowerment agenda forward.
Shamsaha will also focus its efforts on streamlining the development of a mobile application to support victims of abuse across the region which is set to launch in the UAE and the GCC in the third quarter of 2021. With the support of L’Oréal Fund for Women, Shamsaha aims to support 4,000 women by end of 2022.
Commenting on the partnership with Shamsaha, Rémi Chadapaux, Managing Director of L’Oréal Middle East, said: “The pandemic’s lockdown measures undeniably created a very trying environment for everyone across the globe, but even more so, for victims of domestic abuse. As a Group that has been committed to empowering women, it was essential to take action to help the most vulnerable women particularly those affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. We are inspired by Shamsaha’s tireless efforts and its true potential to alleviate the challenges that women face every day. Together, we believe we can help make a difference and bring a voice to women who need it the most.”
Mary-Justine Todd, Founder and Executive Director of Shamsaha, said: “On behalf of everyone at Shamsaha, I want to thank the entire L’Oréal team, and specifically the L’Oréal Fund for Women, for providing us the opportunity to launch our much-anticipated expansion project and for putting their faith in us and all that we are hoping to accomplish. I founded Shamsaha because I believe in the potential of women. Working together to mitigate the effects of abuse and domestic violence can create lasting change for women, families and entire communities. When women thrive, everybody thrives.”
Shamsaha’s mobile app will provide information and resources on women’s health and survivor support tools for victims and the general public. It will also streamline scheduling and communication between 100+ volunteers as well as the registration of events and workshops. In addition, Shamsaha will extend its awareness program campaign to wider audiences in the region.
About Shamsaha:
Shamsaha, Arabic for “Her Sun” (from where she derives her power and potential), was founded in the Kingdom of Bahrain in 2016 as a non-profit corporation focusing on women’s empowerment and protection. Shamsaha is the Middle East’s first and only domestic and sexual violence crisis program. Shamsaha has three primary mandates: 1) 24/7 crisis advocacy for women 2) women’s goal-based empowerment case work support and 3) community education and awareness, including microfinance and economic independence. Shamsaha aims to give women a voice so they can realize their potential socially and economically. For more information on Shamsaha’s services, please visit https://shamsaha.org/
About L’Oréal
L’Oréal has devoted itself to beauty for over 100 years. With its unique international portfolio of 36 diverse and complementary brands, the Group generated sales amounting to 29.87 billion euros in 2019 and employs 88,000 people worldwide. As the world’s leading beauty company, L’Oréal is present across all distribution networks: mass market, department stores, pharmacies and drugstores, hair salons, travel retail, branded retail and e-commerce. Research and innovation, and a dedicated research team of 4,100 people, are at the core of L’Oréal’s strategy, working to meet beauty aspirations all over the world. L’Oréal sets out ambitious sustainable development goals across the Group for 2030 and aims to empower its ecosystem for a more inclusive and sustainable society. More information: https://mediaroom.loreal.com/
Image by annasimk from Pixabay
