More than 500 Afghan women and children shared food, danced and played games to celebrate Afghan New Year in Dandenong.
The Nowruz event was held at Menzies Hall in Dandenong on Saturday 25 March.
It gave Afghan women a chance to celebrate in a safe and appropriate environment.
Women and children danced well into the night to traditional music, while children enjoyed games and a jumping castle.
Not-for-profit community inclusion organisation annecto first sponsored the event last year and returned this time around.
“A lot of women in this community are isolated, don’t speak English, and feel very alone,” annecto Casey manager Farida Bezhan said.
“And most of them haven’t got extended family with whom to celebrate the New Year.”
CEO Estelle Fyffe said annecto connected people with culturally appropriate services that helped them to live a more connected and happy life.
“This event is about providing support and help to Afghan women and their children and provides more information about their rights, available services, parenting, English and education advice,” she said.
Board member Jennifer Burrows spoke at the event, along with an Afghan lawyer who spoke about women’s rights and domestic violence.
