Taking the economic path to achieve social equality
"{…} discrimination against women violates the principles of
equality of rights and respect for human dignity, is an obstacle to the
participation of women, on equal terms with men, in the political,
social, economic and cultural life of their countries, hampers the
growth of the prosperity of society and the family and makes more
difficult the full development of the potentialities of women in the
service of their countries and of humanity"[Convention on the
Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women, UN]
Arab women are subject to multiple discriminations; in addition to
state discrimination due to their national identity, they suffer from
the patriarchal structure of Arab society and at the same time they
represent the poorest sector in Israel. In order to achieve meaningful
equality, and not only a token status, women have to participate
actively in the workforce and earn a respectable income. To achieve
this, Ahali established this program in 2003. It aims at empowering
Arab rural women by teaching them useful professions, training them to
establish and manage their own small enterprises, and design and market
their products. In addition Ahali maintains a direct continuing
relation with program graduates to guarantee sustainable development
and goal achievement.
The Project
The main components of the program:
· Personal and social awareness and empowerment
· Entrepreneurial training through acquisition of professional
knowledge and skills
· Business management training
· Design, packaging and marketing skills
· Conduct of social and cultural events
· Preparation and publicizing of fairs
· Individual and collective counseling in all stages
Today more than 20 groups in 20 different villages with 400 women
participants have completed the training program and represent an
embryo for the development of social activities in their localities. In
addition, they market several products, including za'atar (a spice
mixture, named after an indigenous herb, its main component) and spices,
body care products, cosmetics and therapeutic herbals, candles, soaps,
jewelry and artisanal creations, food, honey and embroidery. All are
hand made and/or natural products.
Arab Farmers
Project
