The L’Oréal Fund for Women: Renewed Commitment to Global empowerment

Women across the globe continue to face disproportionate challenges in the wake of social, economic, and political crises. Recognizing this urgent reality, L’Oréal launched the L’Oréal Fund for Women in 2020 as part of its broader commitment to social responsibility. Since its inception, the Fund has become a vital source of support for frontline organizations working to protect and empower women and girls. After three years of impactful work, the Fund has been renewed for another three years (2023–2026) with a dedicated budget of €30 million, reaffirming L’Oréal’s ambition to address pressing global challenges and contribute to a fairer, more inclusive future.

Achievements Since 2020

In just its first three years of operation, the Fund supported over 530 frontline non-profit organizations worldwide. These organizations have directly impacted the lives of more than 4.8 million women and girls, providing essential services, resources, and opportunities. The scale of this outreach demonstrates the Fund’s ability to mobilize resources effectively and deliver tangible results in diverse contexts.

The organizations supported range from grassroots initiatives to international NGOs, each working to address critical issues such as poverty alleviation, access to education, healthcare, psychological support, and protection against violence. By channeling funds into these efforts, L’Oréal has positioned itself as a key partner in advancing gender equality and women’s rights.

Why Supporting Women Matters

The urgency of this mission is underscored by sobering global statistics:

• Extreme poverty: In 2024, projections indicate that 24.3 million more women than men will be living in extreme poverty. At the current pace, eradicating extreme poverty among women could take another 137 years (UN Women, 2024).
• Violence against women: Nearly one in three women worldwide—approximately 736 million individuals—has experienced physical and/or sexual violence at least once in her lifetime. This figure excludes sexual harassment, meaning the true scale of violence is even greater (UN Women, 2024).
• Aid gaps: Despite these realities, only 4% of bilateral international aid programs are primarily aimed at supporting women (OECD, 2022).

These figures highlight the systemic inequalities women face and the urgent need for targeted interventions. Supporting women is not only a matter of justice but also a prerequisite for building sustainable, inclusive societies.

Women in Armed Conflicts

Armed conflicts exacerbate the vulnerabilities of women and girls. The war in Ukraine, ongoing since 2022, has displaced more than 6.1 million people, marking the largest population displacement crisis since World War II (UNHCR, 2024). Of those displaced, 63% are women and children, underscoring the gendered impact of conflict.

Women in conflict zones are often exposed to torture, sexual abuse, and trafficking. Globally, 257 million women live in countries where conflicts intensify sexual violence (Care, 2024). Addressing these risks requires immediate and sustained support.

The L’Oréal Fund for Women has partnered with organizations such as the Red Cross, SINGA, and UN agencies including the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) and UNICEF. These collaborations focus on providing emergency assistance—shelter, healthcare, psychological and legal support, education, employment opportunities, and protection against trafficking and sexual violence. By supporting these initiatives, the Fund helps women and children rebuild their lives in the aftermath of conflict.

Renewed Commitment: 2023–2026

With its renewal for three additional years, the Fund has allocated €30 million to continue its mission. This investment reflects L’Oréal’s recognition that systemic change requires sustained effort. The renewed Fund will continue to prioritize:

• Emergency response: Supporting women in crisis situations, particularly in conflict zones and areas affected by displacement.
• Long-term empowerment: Funding initiatives that provide education, employment, and healthcare opportunities.
• Advocacy and awareness: Highlighting the global inequalities women face and mobilizing resources to address them.

By extending its commitment, L’Oréal ensures that millions more women and girls will benefit from targeted support, helping to close the gap in aid and opportunity.

The L’Oréal Fund for Women stands as a powerful example of corporate responsibility in action. Since 2020, it has delivered measurable impact by supporting hundreds of organizations and millions of women worldwide. Its renewal through 2026, backed by €30 million, signals a continued dedication to addressing poverty, violence, and inequality. Apply here.