International Women’s Day 2012 – Beauty companies that empower women

• It is estimated that women perform two-thirds of the world’s work, yet they only earn one-tenth of the income, and own less than one percent of the world’s property.
• More than 80% of the world’s 35 million refugees and displaced people are women and children.
• Only 17% of the world’s elected government leaders are women.
• More than 110 million of the world’s children, two-thirds of them girls, are not in school.

Pretty overwhelming, huh? With figures like these, it makes me even more appreciative of the efforts made by beauty companies, particularly companies owned by women, who have established sustainable ways of giving back and empowering women.

Photo from Kahina Beauty, Berber women harvesting argan oil.

One such company is Kahina Giving Beauty, a skincare line that not only supports women of the Berber tribe through the purchase of their harvested argan oil but also donates 25% of all profits back into the women’s cooperatives to improve living conditions, increase education, and advocate for women’s rights. Back in December, I interviewed founder Katharine L’Heureux who shared with me that “this is a powerful time for women, especially if we work together in support of one another”.

All ‘Did You Know’ data provided by UNICEF
Photos are from Kahina Giving Beauty Press Kit