The newly established initiative United Hellenic Women Club continues its activities with momentum. This week it returns with its second event, a mini reading marathon on the topic of violence against women, in the context of UN’s 16 Days of Activism campaign.
Created just this summer in Brussels, United Hellenic Women (UHW) is already widely discussed within the Greek and Cypriot community of the European capital.
It is a platform for women of Greek and Cypriot origin living abroad, as well as women who have any kind of connection with Greece.
Its purpose?
To unite, empower, inspire and create a community of mutual support, networking and personal development.
UHW operates under the umbrella of A Discovering Network asbl, a non-profit organization founded in 2011 in Brussels. Its mission is to promote Greek entrepreneurship and products, Greek culture, and to support Greece during times of economic crisis.
Following its successful first event at the start of autumn, UHW is now preparing its second public activity, a Mini Reading Marathon held as part of the United Nations 16 Days of Activism to combat violence against women.
We asked Thysvi Ekmektzoglou, founder and leader of United Hellenic Women and president of A Discovering Network asbl, to explain the foundations and vision on which UHW is built. She spoke to us about the philosophy and the three main pillars of this new initiative.
of United Hellenic Women.
The Three Pillars of UHW
1. Mapping, Networking, Solidarity
“Networking, meeting each other and creating an environment of trust, co-growth and solidarity is our first pillar.
Through meetups, networking drinks and a meaningful mapping of the Greek female presence in Brussels, and with future networking in mind, we aim to understand the real needs of women in the diaspora.
We want to create a living and modern network of mutual support. We are creating meeting groups such as a Book Club and an Art and Creativity group. Soon we will announce a Well Being group.
We are in favor of collaborations with other organizations and associations. In this context, we hope to begin partnerships with other professional women’s groups.”
2. Knowledge and Awareness
“Information is power.
That is why we organize discussions and panels on issues that affect the everyday life and challenges of women today.
• Equality
• Digital policy and women
• Health and well being
• Modern roles, rights and equality
We want women to have access to knowledge, to broaden their horizons and to speak without fear or taboo.”
3. Women’s Empowerment, Self Awareness and Skills
“The third pillar is perhaps the most demanding. It concerns women’s empowerment. It includes workshops, masterclasses and tools that strengthen the skills and self confidence of our members, public speaking, CV presentation and more.”
Thematic clusters such as literature, art, well being, nutrition, movement and dance also support this, because every woman has space to grow.
Many roles
“Diaspora women live many roles. UHW is a space for breathing and unity,” Thysvi says, speaking about diaspora women, describing a reality that affects both herself and others.
“Most of us live in a condition of multiple roles, often far from our parents and siblings, the support system that women in their home countries take for granted.
We work, raise families, support communities and move from obligation to obligation. Because women juggle so many responsibilities, instead of saving space for themselves, we created this initiative to help one another.”
Community in Motion
UHW’s activities have been created with the intention of touching every dimension of a woman’s life. They respond to the need for rest, for expression, for learning and connection, and for the cultural nourishment that enriches daily living. Through a thoughtful combination of experiences and encounters, the community offers women space to breathe, to reflect and to rediscover parts of themselves that often get lost in the demands of everyday roles.
Members can join walks, excursions and informal book or podcast gatherings. These may be simple moments, yet they become valuable pauses in a fast paced routine. Creative workshops in art, crafts, cooking and other hands on activities offer an outlet for women who want to explore their identity as creators rather than being defined solely by their work or family responsibilities. Alongside these, UHW hosts discussions, meetings and panels on empowerment, leadership, health and environmental issues. They are designed as spaces where women can learn, exchange ideas and grow.
Joy and togetherness also have their place. Social events, from dancing to short getaways and group games, remind participants that pleasure and lightness remain essential, even when roles and obligations multiply. Cultural outings to museums, exhibitions, theatre performances and concerts, along with tastings of wine and food, reinforce the belief that culture cultivates the mind and strengthens the spirit.
Looking forward, UHW is preparing to develop new media content including podcasts and video casts. This project, planned for completion by the end of next year, will create a dedicated channel that gives a strong and authentic voice to Greek and Cypriot women across the diaspora.
Thysvi emphasizes that the goal is not limited to Brussels.
“UHW wants to reach every corner where there is a Greek or Cypriot woman.
We want to build an international network, a community of trust and confidence.
Solidarity is our key.”
Mini Reading Marathon
UHW’s second event, the Mini Reading Marathon, will take place on 29 November 2025 in Brussels at Rue Joseph II, 176, opposite the Berlaymont building of the European Union. It focuses on texts, mostly by Greek women authors, about violence against women, along with personal stories and short narratives.
“Violence breaks when we speak about it,” says Thysvi.
“With this marathon, we actively participate in the global United Nations initiative 16 Days of Activism.”
Organic & Democratic
The interview closes with a statement that summarizes the philosophy of the project.
“UHW evolves organically and democratically. If a woman has an idea, we listen and support it. Alongside our jobs, our children, our worries and our dreams, we can build something for other women as well.”