Empowering women through fashion and hygiene: The Nouara Initiative

© ILO/Elisa Oddone

As a fashion business, it creates plus-size modest fashion options like dresses, coats, abayas, skirts, blouses, and pants, whose modern variations are hard to find in local markets, since the available plus-size clothing tends to be outdated and not trendy.

Also, Nouara supports vulnerable women by providing reusable menstrual pads obtained from the fabrics scraps. This initiative helps vulnerable women maintain personal hygiene and overcome period poverty.

© ILO/Elisa Oddone

“I brought up my humanitarian background, aiming to launch an initiative that could help local women find suitable fashion solutions, while also helping women combat period poverty,” she says. “Through my experience at a previous NGO, we saw firsthand how women and girls during crises, being the most vulnerable, are disproportionately affected. During such times, they often cut back on menstrual hygiene products to save money, resorting to unhygienic methods like using any available fabric.”

© ILO/Elisa Oddone

“I recently employed two Syrian women who learned tailoring skills to craft clothes and the reusable pads. We initiated this dual effort last year, partnering with a local tailor from Tripoli's impoverished Bab al-Tabbaneh area. However, this collaboration proved unsustainable. Doing everything in the new working space above the shop we have opened is proving a successful solution.”

© ILO/Elisa Oddone

“I submitted an application to EMDAD and secured a loan, which facilitated the establishment of our physical storefront,” says Allouche. “We leased a space, decorated it to our liking, purchased sewing machines, and began market research for our inaugural collection. We debuted with a winter collection followed by one for Ramadan. 

© ILO/Elisa Oddone

“Along with our first collection, we developed our initial reusable pad kits, to be distributed for free in partnership with a local NGO,” says Allouche. “Our reusable pads are crafted from fabric scraps, cotton, and blackout cloth fabric, the latter two sourced from suppliers meeting stringent hygienic standards to ensure leak prevention.”

© ILO/Elisa Oddone

“Our shop launched in December 2023, and while we’re still building recognition, our active social media presence is helping spread the word,” says Allouche. “We’ve received great feedback on our collection, especially from those thrilled to find stylish, modest fashion that can finally match their tastes. Additionally, we offer bespoke clothing services to cater to individual client preferences.”