In the words of Zahra Ahmed*: ‘As a woman with disability, earning an income through the cash-for-work experience was financially, socially, and personally empowering’.

Zahra Ahmed, 38, lives with a physical disability, and suffers from diabetes, pituitary tumours, and bowel cancer. She is a refugee living at Al Shatee refugee camp in the Gaza Strip. She had to drop out of school when her parents died. Zahra was among the women who received cash assistance and cash for work opportunity. She worked as an office helper at the Palestinian General Union of People with Disabilities from December 2021 to March 2022. These services were also paired with skill development trainings and gender-based violence (GBV) protection services including legal counselling, awareness-raising sessions, and psychosocial support; all provided by UN Women through the generous funding from the Central Emergency Response Fund (CERF).

‘Taking the skill development training was a turning point not only professionally, but on a personal level as well. I acquired the skill of effective communication. I now can have friends. I stopped refusing others and got rid of the feeling that I am an outcast. I have become able to express my needs and ask for my rights.

The three-month working experience were the best in my life as I was making money, which enabled me to buy medicine in cash after being burdened with debts. In addition, due to the diseases that I suffer, I have no chance but to eat healthy. With the three-month working experience, I managed to buy this type of food that is usually highly expensive and unaffordable. 

My wheelchair was broken, which is why I was not able to go out, even to get my medicine, for two months. If I do not buy it myself, no one can buy it for me. No one listens to my suffering, and if they do, no one is able to help. With the cash for work assistance, I repaired my wheelchair and I got back to life. 

Using my first salary and the cash assistance I got, I underwent a surgery for bowel cancer in a private hospital, which was urgently needed. I also managed to settle my debts that I had for the pharmacy.

In terms of wellbeing, I got super relieved after the psychosocial support. I no longer worry about any of my upcoming commitments. I have become more patient, believing that all challenges can be overcome. I no longer worry about what I have to get. Feeling that I can buy a sandwich whenever I feel hungry was priceless.

I used to be a victim of verbal violence and bullying. As I now know my rights, I became able to stand for myself. While I used to react to problems with anger, grief, and isolation, I today know where to seek support. This is a skill that I have developed in the psychosocial support sessions. I keep reminding myself of this whenever faced with challenges.

Women with disabilities are usually left behind. They often have extremely limited opportunities to earn income. Earning income through the cash-for-work experience was financially, socially, and personally empowering for me.’

*Name was changed to keep the rightsholder’s privacy.