YSL Beauty is partnering with Dubai Foundation for Women and Children as part of an international programme to combat intimate partner violence (IPV), one of the most common forms of violence against women. The French luxury brand will be supporting the education and training programmes of its Emirati non-profit associate during the initiative called ‘Abuse is Not Love.’
IPV is a major societal issue, with approximately one in three women believed to experience it in their lifetime, according to a World Health Organization fact sheet about violence against women. What’s more, only a small proportion of survivors will obtain justice.
Including physical, sexual, financial, and emotional abuse, as well as controlling behaviours by a significant other, research shows IPV comes with nine key warning signs such as isolation, intrusion, intimidation and humiliation. YSL Beauty aims to do its part in raising awareness of these common red flags through the launch of the ‘9 Warning Signs of Abuse’ awareness campaign, because if these signals can be detected earlier, we may be able to recognise it better and seek or offer help, according to another fact sheet by UN Women.
The ‘Abuse is Not Love’ programme will seek to fund academic research on the topic to develop thought-leadership around youth and prevention. It also aims to educate at least 2 million people on the common signs of IPV by 2030, through international partnerships with local non-profits. With these affiliations, YSL Beauty aims to raise awareness of the seriousness of IPV in order to contribute to meaningful change. Providing resources for survivors of violence to enter the workforce is another goal, with the programme set to offer equipment from computer labs used by female survivors of domestic violence, as well as complete trainings to prepare them to (re)enter the workforce. For those with their sights on a career in the beauty sphere, a female make-up expert will also be available to provide her expertise, helping the victims develop skills in the beauty industry.
Additionally, YSL Beauty employees and beauty advisors will be trained on intimate partner violence in the workplace. Workshops and training seminars are being organised for YSL Beauty corporate and front-line teams to understand and identify abusive relationships. These workshops give them the tools and resources, not only for themselves, but to be agents of change in their communities. Additionally, sessions and opportunities will be arranged for YSL Beauty employees who wish to perform voluntary work (social, art, professional, entertainment and sport engagements) at the foundation premises.
“As we began to engage, we really wanted to take action in a concrete, immediate and significant way. Besides supporting our partners, what we can do, is offer our voice and our large and international audience to do our small part in helping to prevent intimate partner violence. We will use our voice to amplify the actions of Dubai Foundation for Women and Children so that more people are aware of their services,” Stephan Bezy, YSL Beauty’s International General Manager, said.
Sheikha Saeed Al Mansouri, Acting Director General of Dubai Foundation for Women and Children, said the foundation wants to focus on underscoring the importance of women’s issues and “how to interact with them, and also to educate employees about the best ways to protect and support women around them.” The Director General also expressed her gratitude and said Dubai Foundation for Women and Children is eager to be involved in more projects that concern women.
Because #AbuseisnotLove, our brand YSL Beauty is working to help fight against Intimate Partner Violence.
— L'Oréal Group (@Loreal) November 24, 2020
Learn to identify the key warning signs, and find the difference between a healthy and an abusive relationship here https://t.co/ehRTdWXCu1 pic.twitter.com/yOtvc84dwg
Dubai Foundation for Women and Children was established in 2007 to offer immediate protection and support services for adult and young females in the UAE against domestic violence, child abuse and human trafficking. The establishment is the first licensed non-profit shelter in the UAE that runs specifically for the care of women and children.
You can reach Dubai Foundation For Women And Children through their hotline: 800111. For NGOs in other countries, you can find local hotline information here.
