On March 10, 2026, a special Beauty Workshop was organized to celebrate International Women’s Day, offering women from the community a welcoming space for relaxation, self-care, and connection. The initiative combined pampering activities with important social awareness messages, creating a meaningful and engaging experience for all participants.
The workshop featured small activity stations dedicated to beauty and wellness, including make-up, manicure services, and henna tattoos. Participants also received thoughtful goodie bags containing self-care items such as cards, hair accessories, chocolates, and shower caps. Alongside these activities, informational materials and brochures from the Breath of Hope project and Road of Hope were distributed, helping attendees learn more about available community resources.
A key aspect of the event was raising awareness about violence against women. The color purple, widely recognized internationally as a symbol of advocacy against gender-based violence, was incorporated throughout the workshop. Informational materials highlighted warning signs in relationships that may become abusive and provided guidance on where to seek help. Participants received cards with essential support information, including the national support hotline (0800 2000). The awareness content was based on official training provided by the Municipality of Amsterdam.
Due to the high turnout and continuous flow of participants, organizers prioritized ensuring that as many women as possible could take part in the activities, while still sharing essential information materials.
Approximately 40 women attended the workshop, representing a rich diversity of backgrounds, including participants from Syria, Palestine, Egypt, Yemen, Eritrea, Turkey, Iran, Iraq, Afghanistan, Morocco, and the Netherlands. The event created an atmosphere of intercultural exchange, mutual support, and celebration.
The workshop was made possible thanks to the dedication of the Road of Hope team, including Berta Eourdekian, Yazmin and her professional nail care colleague, Bsrat, who offered professional henna tattoo services, and Patricia.
The event was hosted at the Emancipation Center Vrouw en Vaart, which generously provided the venue and organized an Iftar dinner. The center also hosted parallel activities, including yoga sessions and a cookie-making workshop, contributing to a vibrant and welcoming environment.
Participants expressed enthusiastic feedback throughout the day. One attendee from Iran shared, “I loved this workshop, I want your make-up.” Three Dutch participants noted, “We will participate in the next one, we took all the information from the brochure and card.” Many others praised the skincare guidance, with several participants commenting on how they planned to replicate the tips at home.
Beyond the moments of care and celebration, the workshop also served as an important reminder that violence against women remains a serious concern in the Netherlands. National awareness efforts and municipal policies continue to stress the urgency of prevention, early recognition of abusive situations, and accessible support for victims. By integrating information on relationship warning signs and sharing official support channels, the initiative reinforced that community spaces can play a crucial role in protection, education, and empowerment. Ensuring that women know they are not alone, and that help is available, remains essential in building safer communities for everyone.