Over 50% of rural women in Palestine perform 65% of agricultural work as part of their household duties, without remuneration. These women have little or no access to training or resources that could enable them to improve their own and their families situation – nor the awareness and self-confidence that would enable them to do so.
In response to this need, we have engaged in a two-year project with YEP–Young Entrepreneurs of Palestine; LEGACOOP, Italy and DIESIS Coop, Belgium. The project is funded by the Commission of the European Communities within the framework of the Euro-Mediterranean Regional Program Enhancing Opportunities for Women in Economic Life.
Economic Empowerment of Rural Palestinian Women aims to enhance the active participation, involvement and contribution of women to the growth and development of the Palestinian economy and society. We provided an integrated training program that combined personal empowerment, vocational training and skill enhancement, training in entrepreneurship and basic business skills. The project also promoted the cause of peace in the region by fostering the sharing of practical knowledge and experience and direct economic cooperation between Palestinian, Israeli and Italian women.
80 Palestinian women from West Bank villages are participating in the program and are assisted in their individual or cooperative establishment of 20 - 25 micro enterprises. Training has been conducted in Palestine, Israel and Italy, and draws on the practical experience of Israeli and Italian women entrepreneurs and cooperators.
In the fall of 2007, as a conclusion to our project, we will hold a networking conference for businesswomen in small enterprises and coooperatives from Italy, Israel, and the Palestinian Authority.
