Photo: Laurence Laborie
Yves Saint Laurent Beauty is partnering with the Dubai Foundation for Women and Children as part of the brand’s global program to battle intimate partner violence, Abuse is Not Love. Through this partnership, the French beauty brand aims to support the regional foundation through education and training programs, raising awareness of the common signs of abuse experienced by women in their relationships.
The Abuse is Not Love program is built around four key pillars, each offering support and safe spaces to vulnerable women, or providing resources for survivors of violence to find employment. Female survivors of domestic violence in the program will be offered training to re-enter or enter the workforce, with digital access available. They will also be offered beauty career training, with female make-up artists helping women in the program develop their skills in the beauty industry. The last two pillars place responsibility on Yves Saint Laurent Beauty, with staff undergoing internal training to understand and identify abusive relationships, and volunteering their time with the foundation, through social, creative, or professional contributions.
Intimate partner violence (IPV) is a common form of violence against women and includes physical, sexual, financial, and emotional abuse by an intimate partner. IPV has telltale signs, including the partner using intimidation tactics, manipulation, and even going as far as to isolate you from family and friends.
Courtesy of Yves Saint Laurent Beauty
International General Manager at Yves Saint Laurent Beauty, Stephan Bezy, says, “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 the Dubai Foundation for Women and Children so that more people are aware of their services.”
The Dubai Foundation for Women and Children is a non-profit shelter that offers immediate protection and support services and children in the UAE against domestic violence, child abuse, and human trafficking. All women can avail services at the foundation, and a police report against the abuser is not required. Acting Director-General of the Dubai Foundation for Women and Children, Sheikha al Mansouri, says, “We aim to highlight on 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.”
If you or someone you know are in an abusive intimate relationship, there are resources that can help. Please reach out to the Dubai Foundation for Women and Children on 800111 and facebook.com/safety/domesticviolenceresources for support.
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