The L’Oréal-UNESCO for Women in Science programme is a global initiative that looks to promote women’s contribution to scientific progress, while offering financial support to individual scientists.
The programme has been running for 18 years, with the group from across Africa the most recent to benefit from the initiative, each receiving Post-Doctoral Fellowships of 10,000 EUR.
The fellowships will fund research across such diverse fields as bio-electrochemical applications in breast cancer treatment, digital accessibility for disabled people in Ghana, and bioactivity of medicinal plants.
L’Oréal: African market a focus
Last year, L’Oréal signed a deal with specialised distributor CFAO to enter a partnership for production and distribution for Ivory Coast, which commentators considered a sign that the France-headquartered beauty multinational is making the market a focus.
At the moment, the agreement covers cosmetics products in Ivory Coast only for now, but L’Oréal said at the time that it believes it will speed up its expansion and development throughout the continent, particularly in hair and body care.
“L’Oréal has been present in French Africa through its well-known French brands for many years. The awareness of these L’Oreal brands locally is high,” a company spokesperson told CosmeticsDesign-Europe.com.
For Women in Science
Sandeep Rai, managing director of L’Oreal South Africa, explained the value L’Oréal perceives in investing in women and science.
“Our changing world has never been in greater need of women and their discoveries. With the For Women in Science programme, the L’Oréal Foundation is committed to promoting these women in science who will change the world. We are determined to fight for science and to build a more beautiful world together,” he stated.
According to the programme organisers, more than 2,500 researchers from 112 countries have been supported by the initiative so far.
“For the past 18 years, the L’Oréal-UNESCO For Women in Science programme has encouraged, promoted and honoured women scientists all over the world,” they state.
“This year applications were received from 26 Countries which is testament to the increasing awareness of the program and our commitment to advancing women in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics).”