In recognition of International Women’s Day on March 8, Christian Dior Parfums has announced the extension of its collaboration with the Charlize Theron Africa Outreach Project, an initiative by actor Charlize Theron.
Actor Charlize Theron with change maker Lucinda Evans – Paola Kudacki for Christian Dior Parfums
The brand’s “long-standing and evolving collaboration” underscores a shared commitment to equality of opportunity and women’s empowerment, Christian Dior Parfums announced in a release. CTAOP supports and empowers vulnerable communities in South Africa, focusing on young women as key leaders in social change.
“Our wish, at Christian Dior Parfums, was to extend our patronage with CTAOP, and to build on the Youth Leadership Program, supporting young female leaders, while extending our support to the action spearheaded by Lucinda Evans, recognising these women as true agents of change,” said Parfums Christian Dior’s sustainability director Cecile Lochard in a release. “We were lucky enough to go on the ground in South Africa to explore and get a better understanding of the real-life impact that the remarkable initiatives CTAOP supports, through local organisations and young leaders. This work is fully aligned with the values of Christian Dior Parfums. As a company, we have always advocated for equality of opportunity and women’s autonomy. It is one of our core pillars worldwide.”
Lucinda Evans – Verity Fitzgerald for Christian Dior Parfums
The brand has supported CTAOP since 2021, including its Youth Leaders Scholarship Program, which offers scholarships to 20 young people from under resourced backgrounds. A number of these scholarships are directly funded by Dior and help the recipients to pursue careers in fields ranging from education, health sciences, and business to gender advocacy, film, and media as they take on the role of changemakers within their own communities.
“I always knew that if I was ever in a position where I could give back, it would be to my home country, South Africa,” said Charlize Theron. “We work with female leaders. The work that they are doing, how they are able to bring communities together the way you would a family, that’s something I feel is very unique to women. I actually can’t remember a time that I haven’t been a part of the Dior family. In being with a house like Dior, for that long, there was just a real sense of evolution as we grew with each other and got to know each other better. I think the house of Dior had a real interest in what I was doing through CTAOP. We introduced them to some of the partners, making them aware of the incredible work that was being done and just needed more resources. I think it was a no-brainer for them: this was something that they wanted to be a part of.”
Young change makers – Verity Fitzgerald for Christian Dior Parfums
In addition to offering financial support, CTAOP aims to give the individuals it supports the time and space to work on long-term goals beyond survival. The organisation supports local initiatives in South Africa including Philisa Abafazi Bethu, meaning ‘Heal Our Women,’ founded and led by Lucinda Evans as a safe space offering health and social care in an underprivileged township.
“I never thought that being a woman was a hinderance in terms of ambition, and this has really helped me- spurring me throughout my career,” said Parfums Christian Dior’s president and CEO Véronique Courtois in a release. “Strong female friendships have supported me every step of the way. I’m a great believer in sisterhood.”
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