Health and wellbeing
Health inequalities and social exclusion have no place in the world. We’re using our brands to make a difference.
We believe that access to good health should be a right, not a privilege. Collectively, society has the knowledge to fix these problems: no one should be left behind in this way.
We’re determined to use the scale and reach of our brands and programmes to improve people’s health, wellbeing and inclusion. Not just through better, more innovative products, but by tackling the barriers that so often hold people back.
Learn more about our global strategy and goals here and check out the progress we’ve made in Australia and New Zealand below.
Increasing body confidence and self-esteem
Dove Self Esteem Project
The Dove Self-Esteem Project was created from a vision where beauty is a source of confidence, not anxiety – helping young people reach their full potential through the delivery of body confidence and self-esteem education. In Australia and New Zealand, workshops are run in partnership with the Butterfly Foundation (Australia) and School Kit (New Zealand), and have reached over 1.2 million Australian kids and 32,000 Kiwi kids. This contributes to the nearly 70 million young people we have reached globally.
Each year, our employees also have the opportunity to take part in ‘Dove Day’ – an opportunity to experience the impact of the Dove Self Esteem Project, first-hand. Since 2016, our passionate employees have helped run self-esteem workshops at schools across Australia and New Zealand, reaching over 2,000 young people.
Teachers and parents are also able to download self-esteem education tools via the Dove website. Collectively, the Dove Self-Esteem Project aims to reach over 2.5 million Australian and Kiwi kids by the end of 2022.
Dove and Cartoon Network collaboration
In 2020, Dove and Cartoon Network’s beloved children’s show Steven Universe banded together to build self-esteem and body confidence in children through a series of six short animated films. The content was carefully co-created and grounded in scientific evidence by Australian body image expert, Dr Phillippa Diedrichs at the Centre for Appearance Research at the University of the West of England.
Project #ShowUs
More than 2-in-3 (70%) of women still don’t feel represented in media and advertising. That’s why Dove has taken action with Girlgaze, Getty Images, and women everywhere to create Project #ShowUs – the world’s largest photo library created by women and non-binary individuals to shatter beauty stereotypes. With over 5,000 images, we’re looking to offer a more inclusive vision of beauty to all media and advertisers. The project is powered by from 39 countries, in front of and behind the camera, and allows women to decide how they want to be seen.
Saying no to ‘normal’ and yes to Positive Beauty
From skin care to soap, shampoo and more, our beauty and personal care brands are removing the word ‘normal’ from advertising and packaging, all over the world. It’s one of several commitments we’ve made as part of our new Positive Beauty vision and strategy – championing a new era of beauty that’s inclusive, equitable and sustainable.
Some of the other commitments include putting an end to all digital alterations that change a person’s body shape, size, proportions or skin colour, and we’re also increasing the number of ads portraying people from diverse, under-represented groups.
Getting kids active and learning through nature play
In 2016, OMO partnered with Nature Play in Australia to encourage, celebrate and inspire outdoor learning and play.
The world’s first National Day of Real Play was launched, followed by OMO Outdoor Classroom Day in 2017. Through the partnership, OMO has reached over 219,000 Australian children, with thousands of schools around the world taking lessons outside and prioritising playtime.
Healing skin around the world
Working with Direct Relief, The Vaseline Healing Project provides dermatological care, Vaseline® Jelly and medical supplies needed to help heal the skin of people affected by poverty or emergencies around the world.
In 2018, our Australian Vaseline team helped the Vaseline Healing Project travel to East Java to provide education and treatment for sufferers of leprosy.
Starting conversations that matter
Since 2017, LYNX has partnered with the Movember Foundation to help raise awareness and funds to support men to live happier, healthier and longer lives.
This included the launch of a LYNX limited-edition body spray and shower gel featuring an image of the Movember moustache to help raise support and money for this important cause.
Each year, during the month of November, a percentage of each Lynx purchase goes directly to the Movember Foundation, supporting their efforts to reduce the number of men dying prematurely by 25% by 2030.