Every year, L’Occitane En Provence creates a one-of-a-kind, limited-edition Shea Butter product to celebrate International Women’s Day. 2016 not only marks the 40th anniversary of L’Occitane but also marks over thirty years of cooperation between L’Occitane and the 17,000+ women involved in Burkina Faso cooperatives, who produce all of the companies’ shea butter.
For the 2016 Solidarity Balm, L’Occitane has combined the gentleness of Shea Butter, the mysteries of rose and the colours of African traditions. Each balm retails for $6 and 100% of the profits will finance NGO projects for women’s leadership in Burkina Faso, with the support of the L’OCCITANE Foundation.
The brightly coloured design and motifs are evocative of wax-print fabrics, which are worn by Burkinabé women during ceremonies that play an important part in the life of the community. Wax fabrics are a symbol of multicultural expertise, steeped in history and traditions. The cloth is not just a garment, but a reference value, a sign of social status and a symbol recognized and accepted by all.
Since L’Occitane began promoting women’s entrepreneurship and supporting different organizations through the L’Occitane Foundation, 6,000 women have been given access to microcredit loans, savings plans and training programs within the framework of projects supported by the French NGO Entrepreneurs du Monde. Additionally, 900 women have gained literacy skills as part of the program led by NGO Aide et Action.
With the moisturizing, nourishing and protective benefits of Shea Butter, L’Occitane is making it easy to pamper yourself while giving back on Women’s Day 2016. The balm will be available in stores on February 22, 2016 and will remain past International Women’s Day, which is March 8th, 2016.
