L'Occitane, in collaboration with its foundation, has achieved its commitment to support more than 33,000 women in Burkina Faso in their socioeconomic development by the end of 2020.
Related: L'Occitane Recognized by EcoVadis for Sustainable Practices
As of March 2021, more than 42,600 women have been supported in Burkina Faso. The company has set a new goal of empowering 60,000 women for 2025.
To achieve this, L'Occitane has built fair trade partnerships to improve the lives and working conditions of Burkinabe women.
Every year, L'Occitane orders several hundred tons of shea butter directly from the cooperatives of women producers in Burkina Faso and works with these groups to obtain organic certification and the Fair Trade certification.
In 2018, L'Occitane launched the RESIST program (Resilience, Ecology, Strengthening, Independence, Structure, Training), a $2 million holistic program that supports 10,000 women in Burkina Faso facing economic and climate challenges.
The foundation has committed to Burkinabe women’s leadership through long-term partnerships with NGOs and organizations. This includes education for girls, alphabetization for women in rural areas and entrepreneurship projects to strengthen women’s economic autonomy.
Justine Humbert, sustainable supply chain specialist in charge of shea butter, biodiversity and sustainable ingredients department of the L'Occitane Group, said, "Autonomy for women is key.This initiative has been built with them, and we listen to feedback from the field in order to re-adapt the project according to specific needs. In addition, we are vigilant to the appropriation of activities by the women to ensure a real sustainability beyond the project.”
Kady Traore, L'Occitane African philanthropic project manager, said, “By working to protect women and support their autonomy, we contribute to building a more stable and fair society. Women in rural areas play a key role in education, transmitting values and maintaining peace. Let us give them the power to fully take on this role.”
