The story of L'OCCITANE and the women shea butter producers of Burkina Faso began in the 1980s. Since then, we've built up a joint development partnership and a close, supportive relationship. There were about a dozen women at first. Now there are over 10,000! And since 2009, our shea butter supply chain has been 100% Fair Trade (Fair Trade certified according to the Fair for Life standard available at www.fairforlife.org).
Shea butter is called "women’s gold" in Burkina Faso.
By tradition, it is only women who harvest the shea nuts and make shea butter.
Women in Burkina Faso are the pillars of society and play a key role in the country's economic and social development.
BURKINA FASO IS ONE OF THE POOREST COUNTRIES IN THE WORLD. By supporting and empowering Burkinabe women, we can help lift them out of poverty.