As part of the national “Orange the World” campaign, an annual initiative calling for an end to violence against women and girls, Salesforce and Road of Hope joined forces to host a morning of reflection, empowerment, and personal growth. The event brought together women from diverse backgrounds to share food, hear powerful stories, and create their own Personal Development Plans, supported by professional volunteers from Salesforce.
The initiative was organized in collaboration with the Salesforce Women’s Network, which invited Road of Hope as a partner for the first time. The morning opened with breakfast and an emotional speech from a Salesforce representative who shared her personal story of surviving sexual assault in the Netherlands. Her testimony, which has become the driving force behind her advocacy work, set a meaningful tone for the activities that followed, focusing on protection, awareness, and agency for women everywhere.
The event brought together approximately 15 Salesforce staff members and seven participants from Road of Hope’s Breath of Hope project, including women from Syria, Egypt, and Palestine. For many, the experience of entering a major international company’s office and being welcomed so warmly made a deep impression.
“Everyone felt important because a company opened their space to us,” said Patricia da Silva, the director of Road of Hope. “This gesture alone conveyed respect and recognition”, she pointed out.
Building Dreams Through Reflection
After an introductory icebreaker, the participants were divided into small groups, each facilitated by Salesforce employees and Road of Hope’s intercultural facilitators. Together, they examined their goals, strengths, and aspirations, many for the first time. The session encouraged each woman to shape a Personal Development Plan with concrete steps toward their future.
The activities prompted deep reflection. As one participant explained,
“The questions we were asked here, and during the Development Course, are questions we never thought about. It is good to have this brainstorm to think about our lives.”
Another added that “It feels so good to talk about our dreams!”
A Morning of Solidarity and Forward Momentum
Beyond personal planning, the morning allowed space for conversations about women’s safety, both in the workplace and in daily life. The presence of Salesforce staff, including Nancy Refki, Jet Murris, and Aïcha Naesen, highlighted the company’s commitment to gender equality and community engagement.
For Road of Hope, the event symbolized what collaboration can achieve: a safe environment, meaningful dialogue, and access to opportunities that help newcomer women build confidence and direction.
The Orange the World campaign, originally created by UN Women, continues across the Netherlands and all over the world as an initiative that stands as an example of how corporate partners and community organizations can work together to support the resilience, voice, and future of all women.
