As part of L’Oréal’s ongoing efforts and commitment to support women’s rights, L’Oréal Fund for Women announced its partnership with Shamsaha, a non-profit corporation based in Bahrain, to support its mission in protecting, advocating and empowering women in Bahrain and across 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 expand the crisis program’s services and on-ground operations to the UAE, KSA, Oman, and Kuwait. Shamsaha will forge partnerships with key resource providers to offer victims medical, therapeutic, and legal support as well as food, supplies and transportation. With the support of L’Oréal Fund for Women, Shamsaha aims to support 4,000 women by end of 2022.
In addition, Shamsaha will utilize the fund to streamline the further development of a mobile application to support victims of abuse across the region which is set to launch in Bahrain in the second quarter of 2021 followed by the rest of Gulf countries during the third quarter. The mobile application will facilitate emotional, logistical and informational support to victims.
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 express our most sincere gratitude to 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 domestic and sexual 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. In addition, Shamsaha will extend its awareness program campaign to wider audiences in the region.
