The actress caught up with PEOPLE at the Charlize Theron Africa Outreach Project 2026 Block Party in Los Angeles on Sept. 19

NEED TO KNOW

• Charlize Theron shared how being a mom to daughters who “live in privilege” made her more passionate about activism 
• The actress is mom to daughters Jackson, 14, and August, 12
• She spoke to PEOPLE exclusively at her Africa Outreach Project’s 2026 Block Party in Los Angeles on Sept. 19

Charlize Theron said being a mom to two daughters who “live in privilege” has had an impact on her desire to help all children.

The actress, 51, spoke to PEOPLE exclusively at the Charlize Theron Africa Outreach Project 2026 Block Party — an annual event that supports her charity’s efforts to provide health and safety for young people in her native South Africa — at Universal Studios in Los Angeles on Saturday, Sept. 19.

During the conversation, Theron said that while she has always cared about child welfare, becoming a mother only increased her motivation to make sure all children receive the stability and care they need through the Africa Outreach Project.

“I think my interest in working with young people— and especially young girls —  that’s kind of been part of my life before I had kids,” the Odyssey actress said.

Theron adopted Jackson, 14, in 2012, followed by August, 12, in 2015.

“And I think once my kids leave [the house], [it] will still be part of what I find is important, you know? When you have two young girls … when they live in privilege, if anything, it makes me realize that I want safety for every young person,” she continued.

“I see that my kids are safe and they have a safe space and they can flourish and they can succeed, not just survive. And I want that for young people,” Theron added.

The Mad Mad: Fury Road star opened up to PEOPLE in 2018 about her decision to adopt, sharing that adoption was always a top priority for her.

“Even when I was in relationships, I was always honest with my partners, that adoption was how my family would look one day,” Theron said at the time. “This was definitely not a second option for me. It was always my first.”

During an April 2018 interview for Elle, the actress said that growing up during the apartheid era in South Africa made her “hyperaware of equality and human rights.”

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She went on to say that she was adamant about imbuing her daughters with confidence and pride in who they are.

“I want them to know who they are, and I want them to be so f—ing proud of who they are,” Theron said while speaking to the outlet. “Building confidence for them right now is an oath I made to myself when I brought them home. They need to know where they come from and be proud of that.”

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