Celebrating the inspiring women behind our hero ingredient

Farming in Ghana is predominantly undertaken by men, however the farming and production of Shea Butter, the hero ingredient of the Aviela skincare range, is reserved for the women, which is why all this month we are celebrating the incredible ladies who work in a Women’s Cooperative in Ghana that is very close to our heart.  

Shea Butter production is a centuries old Ghanaian tradition, involving a highly skilled process which can take up to four weeks from start to finish. The knowledge and specific skills mastered by the women are passed on from generation to generation, from mother to daughter.

This historical dedication to the production of Shea Butter has led to a development of talented female workers, who came together to form an independent Cooperative in the village of Gurugu, in Northern Ghana, with whom Aviela has established a close sustainable relationship.

By working together to farm the Shea nuts from the trees in their village, these women have become economically independent, no longer relying on the men in the village for financial support.

By ethically sourcing vast quantities of Grade A, unrefined Shea Butter from this Cooperative, Aviela helps generate income for the women and also helps provide further access to education, training and vital supplies for them and their families.

These hard-working women are an inspiration and we admire their ambition and determination to support themselves and build a thriving business that they can pass down for generations as the Cooperative grows from strength to strength.