Rania smiles as she stands inside her beauty salon, now a thriving business thanks to support provided by the Syrian Arab Red Crescent.
Rania smiles as she stands inside her beauty salon, now a thriving business thanks to support provided by the Syrian Arab Red Crescent.
Rania smiles as she stands inside her beauty salon, now a thriving business thanks to support provided by the Syrian Arab Red Crescent.
Photo: Syrian Arab Red Crescent
This International Women’s Day, we celebrate the stories of women like Rania and Hasna, two women entrepreneurs in Syria creating buildings businesses and places of beauty in times of hardship.
Rania had always envisioned owning a hair salon—a place filled with the scent of fresh hair products, the sound of scissors snipping, and the satisfaction of seeing her clients leave with smiles on their faces. But for a long time, that dream seemed out of reach.
Starting with nothing, Rania faced obstacles that made progress feel impossible. Without equipment, financial stability, or a proper workspace, she struggled to move forward. Still, she refused to let go of her passion.
Everything changed when she learned about a small business support program through the Syrian Arab Red Crescent (SARC). Seeing it as a rare opportunity, she applied with hope, and when she was approved, it felt like a turning point. With the first round of financial aid, she carefully selected the essentials—scissors, clippers, hair dyes, and styling products—gradually bringing her dream to life.
The opportunity came at a critical time. People displaced by 13 years of hostilities are now looking to return. The humanitarian needs were already significant and continue to grow as people return only to find homes and infrastructure badly damaged or destroyed. For this reason, the IFRC launched an emergency appeal to support the Syrian Arab Red Crescent’s efforts to provide life-saving assistance to 5 million people across Syria.
And even with the first small grant from the Red Crescent, there were still many challenges ahead for Rania. Just as her business was gaining momentum, a new challenge arose—frequent power outages.
“I was the only one without a generator,” she recalled. “Whenever the electricity went out, I had to stop working. Clients would leave, and I couldn’t do anything about it.”
Determined not to let setbacks define her, Rania used a second round of support from the Syrian Arab Red Crescent to invest in a battery and solar panel. With her brother’s help, she set up a reliable power source, ensuring that her salon could remain open even during long blackouts. That decision changed everything.
Her business flourished, customers increased, and she finally earned enough to rent her own shop. More than just financial success, she gained recognition and trust within her community. No longer just a hairdresser, she became an inspiration to others.
“At first, I was afraid,” Rania admitted, “but I’ve learned that with determination, anything is possible.”
Financial and business trainings from the Syrian Arab Red Crescent helped build Hasna’s small business and her confidence as a business woman and household provider.
Financial and business trainings from the Syrian Arab Red Crescent helped build Hasna’s small business and her confidence as a business woman and household provider.
Financial and business trainings from the Syrian Arab Red Crescent helped build Hasna’s small business and her confidence as a business woman and household provider.
Photo: Syrian Arab Red Crescent
Hasna’s journey of strength and independence
Not far from Rania, another woman was building something of her own. Like Rania, Hasna knew the weight of struggle. But she also knew that giving up was never an option.
Hasna had always believed in moving forward, no matter how difficult life became. “There’s no room for despair,” she would say. “I had to keep going—to work, to learn, to build something better.”
“I no longer rely on anyone—I stand on my own feet.”
Hasna, business owner, mother and household provider.
In the past, she spent money without much thought, never considering savings or investment. “I didn’t have a plan,” she admitted. That changed when she attended a financial management training organized by the Syrian Arab Red Crescent that introduced her to budgeting, profit calculation, and smarter financial habits.
What started as small, careful steps soon turned into real progress. Hasna launched a modest business from home, buying and reselling products. Over time, as she applied her newfound financial skills, her business grew. But more than just an income source, it gave her confidence, purpose, and a sense of independence.
“I no longer rely on anyone—I stand on my own feet,” she said with pride. Her grandchildren even helped out. “*Nothing makes me happier than hearing them call me ‘Teta.’*”
Beyond financial stability, Hasna also discovered the power of knowledge and support. Through the Syrian Arab Red Crescent, she participated in legal awareness sessions, psychological support programs, and women’s empowerment groups.
“These sessions changed my mindset,” she shared. “We learned things that lifted us—not just financially, but emotionally too. I only wish I had found them earlier.”
For Hasna, the encouragement she received was just as important as the financial help. Even on difficult days, attending those sessions gave her strength.
“No matter how I felt walking in, I always left feeling stronger,” she reflected. “That support changed my life.”
Now, she has a message for other women facing struggles:
“Never stop pushing forward,” she says. “Whether you’re divorced, widowed, or single, stand on your own feet and keep going. Things get better with time and effort. I started small, but I’m not stopping here. This isn’t just about making a living—it’s about building something that lasts. And trust me, the more you put in, the more life gives back.”
Get involved:
Support the IFRC’s emergency appeal for Syria, which supports the efforts of the Syrian Arab Red Crescent in providing
Learn more about livelihoods programming throughout the IFRC network.