Today's Edition
TALAH TURK (ABU DHABI)
Abu Dhabi's dedication to championing women's empowerment shines through a growing number of initiatives that amplify their voices and celebrate their strength. As one of the key players steering these efforts in the capital, The Pink Majlis (TPM) established a community-driven social club for women, aiming to encourage the modern female to be her authentic self unapologetically.
Aletihad sat down with the founder, Sara Bakheet AlSuwaidi, who told the story of TPM's beginnings and explained the gap it seeks to fill in the local market. One unique viewpoint that shined through her answers during the interview was that women should not shy away from their feminine nature in pursuit of power, but rather embrace it to shine brighter.
Peeking Behind the Curtain
TPM was born less than a year ago out of popular and persistent demand, driven by AlSuwaidi's passion for creating memorable experiences. "I've always loved being the hostess and when I have people over at my house, it is never a normal gathering where we just sit and talk. It had to be extra! I would have an artist or instructor come to give us a private session," she said.
"I would share pictures on social media afterwards and people would ask about signing up," she said. "So, after I saw the opportunity and realised how eager people are to participate, I decided to open it to the public."
Picking a partner was a no-brainer for AlSuwaidi. "I remember calling my friend Latifa and asking her 'Do you want to be the co-founder for The Pink Majlis?' and she accepted then and there."
"We started TPM the next day with a watercolour painting workshop and people did not disappoint," she recalled. It was an instant hit, and they wanted more," she shared proudly.
Since kicking off, TPM has been offering a wide range of experiences with an overarching fun and feminine theme, such as jewellery-making workshops, padel tournaments, Pilates classes, and exclusive pop-ups that bring people together to support local businesses and empower young entrepreneurs.
The way it works is by enhancing their overall wellbeing through talks and workshops that nurture their creativity, motivate them to move their bodies, and prioritise their mental health.
While the large scale and quality of TPM's events make it look like there is an army working behind the scenes to make it happen, in reality, the magic is brought to life by just three dedicated women - Sara Al Suwaidi, her co-founder, Latifa Fahed AlShamsi, and their assistant.
AlSuwaidi stressed that passion and dedication were essential to their success "We all have 9-5 type jobs, but The Pink Majlis is our 24-7 thing. I even dream about The Pink Majlis in my sleep," she joked.
AlSuwaidi came up with the name "The Pink Majlis" to reflect both cultural roots and femininity, drawing inspiration from the traditional Emirati Majlis, a space for discussing key issues and aspirations. Her love for pink and a playful nod to her home’s pink-themed Majlis, originally a light-hearted joke among family and friends, evolved into a platform encouraging women to embrace their femininity with confidence and joy.
Mental Health Matters
Mental health is one of TPM's top priorities that the team believes should be brought to the forefront and discussed openly. "At 'Talks over Coffee', attendees get to express their opinions, and learn about other people's viewpoints and experiences regarding a certain topic. We pick a topic through an Instagram story poll and get a certified moderator to help run the casual discussion."
She stressed that people do not have to participate if they are not comfortable doing so. "Ladies are welcome to just sit and listen," she elaborated, "We just want to make sure that everyone knows they are not alone."
The success of TPM and the positive buzz it has generated have even led men to request to join "Talks Over Coffee." While TPM focuses on empowering women, AlSuwaidi is open to inclusivity.
"We are considering hosting a mixed edition of Talks Over Coffee because we don't want men to feel neglected when it comes to something as important as mental health."
She expressed the team's desire to have a permanent location that the TPM community calls home. "It would be an open majlis for ladies, where they can come in whenever they want and chill in a comfortable space," she explained.
