Activities of the Rural Women's Development Society in visuals

 

 

In August 2007 the RWDS initiated a conference on the current situation of the Palestinian rural women. A range of women organisations  as well as representatives from the rural women clubs attended to exchange experiences and visions of how to approach the the social end ecomomic difficulties that apply to rural women.

 

 

The continous land confiscations and water shortage pose a severe challenge to the rural women to sustain their families. The agricultural sector is a fundamental pillar for the threatened Palestinian economy and many families depend entirely on their agricultural production, mainly olive and wheat. In April 2008 the Danish Representative Office supported women in poor areas of the Ramallah District by donating seeds and plants.

 

 

Traditionally, village women have done embroderies in locally-distinctive styles representing their heritage, ancestry and affiliations. Today the embroderies are of great importance in preserving Palestinian traditions, and needlework and embroidery workshops, like the above depicted session in Nablus, ensures the traditions survival. Futhermore, the rural women generate income for their families and furure women club acitivities when selling their products.

 

 

Awareness workshops and vocational trainings are among the many activities taking place in the women clubs. Through workshops and training, the women enhance their chances of entering the labour makket, giving their children a good and healthy childhood in spite of the occupation, participating in political life and strengthening their social bonds within the community.

 

 

Many Palestinian women are seeking insight into women's rights and are on numerous occations claiming their rights and raising awareness on gender equality issues. Along with hundreds of women, the RWDS attended the International Women's Day demonstration in Hebron on March 8th 2007.