Empowering beauty professionals to help end gender-based violence

GBV-Watch Salons is a European initiative that empowers beauty professionals to become allies in identifying and addressing gender-based and domestic violence.

About the Project

GBV-Watch Salons is funded by the European Union

The project brings together partners from across Europe - including VET providers, NGOs, research institutions, and representatives from the beauty sector.

Professional

Through specialized training and practical resources, we equip hairdressers, makeup artists, nail technicians, and aestheticians to:

Our goal is to make everyday spaces, like salons, safer for everyone. By raising awareness and building capacity, we aim to reduce the long-term impact of gender-based violence across Europe.

Why It Matters

Gender-based violence remains one of the most pervasive human rights violations across Europe. Despite progress in equality and awareness, millions of women continue to experience physical, sexual, and psychological abuse - often at the hands of people they know.

These acts of violence have long-lasting effects on survivors’ physical health, emotional well-being, and economic independence. Yet much of this violence still goes unreported and unaddressed, hidden behind fear, stigma, and silence.

1 in 3 women in the EU have experienced physical violence, sexual violence, or threats in adulthood.

1 in 6 women in the EU have experienced sexual violence, including rape.

1 in 5 women have faced violence at home from a partner or relative.

1 in 3 women have experienced sexual harassment at work; 2 in 5 among younger women.

Only 1 in 8 survivors report incidents to the police.

Our Mission

Empower beauty professionals as early detectors of gender-based and domestic violence

Provide high-quality training, tools, and support materials

Develop national guidelines and referral directories

Promote awareness and prevention within the beauty community

Advocate for policy change to include beauty professionals in GBV prevention frameworks

Why Beauty Professionals?

Hairdressers, makeup artists, nail technicians, and aestheticians see clients consistently over time, which allows them to notice subtle changes in behavior, mood, or physical appearance that may indicate distress or abuse.

Beauty professionals often form strong, trusted relationships with their clients through regular, personal, and sometimes intimate interactions.

With appropriate training and support, beauty workers can:

Respond compassionately and safely to signs of abuse
Maintain confidentiality and professional boundaries
Guide clients discreetly to trusted support services
Raise community awareness of gender-based violence

By leveraging the existing trust and accessibility of beauty professionals, GBV-Watch Salons aims to create safer everyday environments where early intervention is possible — contributing to prevention, well-being, and community resilience.

Results

The project will deliver:

A multilingual online training curriculum for beauty professionals and VET educators

Country-specific GBV Handling Guides

A comprehensive directory of GBV support services

Policy recommendations to integrate beauty workers into GBV SOPs

Public awareness campaign materials

A digital learning and networking platform

Objectives

Educate beauty professionals to identify signs of gender-based and domestic violence

Deliver practical training and ethical response guidelines

Develop national GBV Handling Guides tailored to the beauty industry

Integrate GBV awareness into beauty and VET school curricula

Raise community awareness through campaigns and outreach

Advocate for systemic recognition of beauty professionals’ role in GBV prevention

Activities

Throughout the project, GBV-Watch Salons will:

Design and pilot innovative training programs for beauty professionals and students

Develop country-specific GBV Handling Guides

Create directories of national GBV support and referral services

Conduct national and transnational awareness campaigns

Hold policy roundtables, webinars, and conferences

Produce testimonial videos and multimedia resources

Work Packages:

WP1 – Coordination & Quality Assurance
WP2 – Empowerment & SOP Integration
WP3 – GBV Training & Tools
WP4 – Institutional Impact & Policy Reform
WP5 – Communication & Awareness Campaigns

Partnership

A consortium of 12 partners from five EU countries (Germany, Greece, Romania, Bulgaria, and Italy) unites under GBV-Watch Salons.
These partners represent VET providers, NGOs, beauty industry representatives, research institutions, and business associations.

News

Stay updated with our latest updates, success stories, and project milestones.
Hear from beauty professionals and VET educators who are creating safer, more supportive environments across Europe.