Open Day for women’s Cooperatives in the West Bank and Gaza Strip
Hebron – the Union of Agricultural Work Committees organized an open day to show the products of 35 women cooperative in the West Bank and Gaza Strip within “the transition from relief to sustainable livelihood “project – to enhance food security in the West Bank and Gaza Strip, which is funded by Canadian International Development Agency in partnership with CARE International Foundation.
Assistant Undersecretary for Economic Affairs in the Ministry of Agriculture, Dr. Ali Gaiatha, UAWC’s Acting Director, Fuad Abu Seif, the deputy governor of Hebron Governorate, Marwan Sultan, and CARE International Foundation’s Director in the West Bank and Gaza Strip, Rene Seleia launch the open day activities
Gaitha confirmed that women’s cooperatives are a main source of income, pointing out that 23% of paid workforce are women, and the unpaid women workforce constitute over than 70% in agriculture sector.
He added that the Ministry of Agriculture’s priorities are to strengthen Palestinian farmers’ steadfastness on their land through strengthening of women’s role, especially in rural and marginalized areas
In his speech, the deputy governor of Hebron, Marwan Sultan, mentioned that these projects are the basis for building Palestinian institutions; since Palestinians still suffering from food insecurity due to the Israeli control over natural resources.
In the same context, Selena extended her appreciation to UAWC, the Ministry of National Economy, and the Ministry of Labor for their roles in project success, pointing out that this project gathered different Palestinian parties from the West Bank and Gaza Strip, especially agricultural cooperatives to exchange experiences and skills.
UAWC Acting Director, Fuad Abu Saif, confirmed that women’s cooperatives are the most important program in the organization aimed at strengthening Palestinian steadfastness on their lands.
Abu saif asked the Ministry of National Economy to allocate a suitable budget for cooperatives, and the Ministry of Labor to facilitate their work. He also asked them to create a cooperative school as a reference to all Palestinian cooperatives to gain knowledge and experience
The project manager, Doaa Zayed, summarized the whole project, which targeted a number of cooperatives in Hebron (Beit Ula, Seir, and the benefit of Lithuanian trait, Yatta, Dora, Samu, Bani Naim, the Senate, Halhul, Beit Ummar, Surif) Nablus (Poodle, Awarta, beta, Yatta, Jamman) Bethlehem (Batir, vegetables, Khirbet Zakariya, beekeepers, Shawawreh) Gaza Strip (Gaza City, the central region, Beit Hanoun, Khan Younis, Beit Lahiya)
She added that this activity aimed at creating successful women’s cooperatives networks in all areas, especially Gaza, and giving them the chance to contact with the Ministry of National Economy and the Ministry of Labor
The event included showing of cooperatives’ products and honoring the participants.