Ameera, 24, was born with a vision impairment. She lives in Ramallah with her siblings and parents. She has a degree in English Language and Literature and is currently pursuing a master’s degree in Community Development. Ameera also works at EducAid, an international non-profit organization, where she helps people with disabilities overcome learning and employment challenges.

Rehab Qtait, 35, is a mother of five and lives with her family in Khan Younis, in the Gaza Strip. To make a living, Rehab has put her skills in sewing, embroidery work and crochet to good use. But her income does not cover her household needs

Israa Abu Dawod, 32, was born with a complete vision impairment. She lives with her parents and brother (also with vision impairment) in Hebron in the West Bank. Both of her parents have health issues and are unable to work. Israa holds a bachelor’s degree in Arabic Language Teaching, and hosts a weekly radio programme on the rights of people with disabilities. Israa was among the 300 women who received cash for work opportunities by UN Women in Palestine. Generously supported by the UN Central Emergency Response Fund (CERF), UN Women’s Cash for Work Programme offers economically vulnerable women, particularly those with disabilities, temporary work opportunities coupled with vocational trainings and protection services, to help them pursue more sustainable livelihood.

Rabab Nofel, 30, lives with her two-year-old son and husband in a rented apartment in Gaza. She was born with a disability that restricts her movement. To make a living and support her son, Rabab creates and sells perfumes from home, but her livelihood often gets disrupted, particularly during escalations of violence. Women with disabilities have limited opportunities in Gaza to build economic resilience. Only around four per cent of women with disabilities participate in the workforce.

“I used to work as a secretary at the Bank of Palestine, but I lost my job in 2019. After having good living standards for seven years, I found myself in a very difficult financial situation.” Said Souad, * a 41-year-old mother of five whose husband abandoned her. “This motivated me to put my cooking skills to good use and start my own business. Today, cooking is my family’s main source of income.”

Ramallah - In commemorating International Women’s Day, Palestine Exchange (PEX), in partnership with UN Women, the Palestine Capital Market Authority (PCMA) and the International Finance Cooperation (IFC), organized the Ring the Bell event for Gender Equality for the fifth time in Palestine.

Vitas Palestine launched its strategic plan to implement the WEPs, at Vitas Palestine's headquarters in Ramallah, represented by Mr. Alaa Sisalem, CEO of Vitas Palestine and Ms. Maryse Guimond, UN Women Special Representative.

Samar Al Shaer, 40, is living with a joint disability and has metal plates inserted in her leg. She is from Hableh, a rural area in Qalqiliya, the West Bank. Al Shaer is a divorced mother of three children, and she is their only breadwinner.

The Youth Gender Innovation Agora members provide expertise on youth and gender issues, design innovative solutions and campaigns, encourage the mobilization of young people and facilitate the dissemination of information to networks and organizations around the region.

Asma’ Sweirky, a 29-year-old entrepreneur from Gaza, holds a master’s degree in Chemistry, and the founder and owner of “Asala for vinegar products”. She employs a number of women, who are the main breadwinners of their families, and who come from low-income background, widows, divorced and survivors of violence.

To mark the International Women’s Day (IWD), Palestine Exchange (PEX), in partnership with UN Women, the International Finance Corporation (IFC) and the Palestinian Capital Market Authority (PCMA), organized the “Ring the Bell for Gender Equality” virtual ceremony for the fourth time in Palestine, within the IWD theme “Gender equality today for a sustainable tomorrow”, with a high level and wide range participation of national stakeholders.

Partners to the joint programme “Promoting Productive Employment and Decent Work for Women in Egypt, Jordan and Palestine” gathered for the third Regional High-level Strategic Coordination Committee meeting to discuss its progress in addressing structural issues related to women’s economic empowerment and access to decent jobs.

More than 50 representatives of UN agencies, civil society organizations, donors and other stakeholders took part in an online roundtable discussion on Wednesday 25 August 2021 to tackle the role of gender-sensitive cash and voucher assistance in responding to the needs of the whole population in Palestine, leaving no one behind.

The Women’s Empowerment Principles (WEPs) network in Palestine has continued to grow in 2021 as the number of corporate signatories reached a total of 15 representing various economic sectors in July.

Mariam Shaqura, 46, is the Director of Women’s Affairs at the Red Crescent Society (RCS) in the Gaza Strip, where she has worked for 21 years. A mother of two girls, aged 13 and 8, Mrs. Shaqura talks about her experience during the recent escalation of violence on the Strip, and the damages caused to the Women’s Health Centre operated by RCS at the Jabalya Refugee Camp, one of the largest in Gaza.

The COVID-19 lockdown in Palestine left many women with no legal backing to secure child visitation and custody rights. Former partners took advantage of the legal paralysis to prevent mothers from seeing their children or to stop sending alimony. A joint programme by UN Women, UNDP and UNICEF has trained lawyers and provided free legal aid for many Palestinian women.

To mark the International Women’s Day, Palestine Exchange, in partnership with UN Women and International Finance Corporation (IFC) and Palestine Capital Market Authority, organized the “Ring the Bell for Gender Equality” ceremony in Ramallah, for the first time Palestine.

To mark the International Women’s Day, Palestine Exchange, in partnership with UN Women and International Finance Corporation (IFC) and Palestine Capital Market Authority, organized the “Ring the Bell for Gender Equality” ceremony in Ramallah, for the first time Palestine.

Doaa Eshtayeh, from Nablus, Palestine, found her talent and passion in photography and has made it her profession. Doaa is the main provider for her family, thanks to the support she received through a UN Women project that helped her develop her skills and buy the equipment she needed.

Narjis Mohaisen lost her eyesight at the age of 13, but didn’t give up her studies. After graduating from university, through UN Women’s Cash for Work project in Palestine supported by the Government of Japan, she has discovered ways to support students with disabilities pursue their dreams.