Azzeh Refugee Camp – Bethlehem: Last week, a monitoring visit was conducted for the project “Taawon Amal Tamkeen” (Collaboration, Hope, and Empowerment), implemented by the Rihannah Association and funded through local funds from the SIGEWE initiative – Support for the Institutionalization of Gender Mainstreaming and Women’s Empowerment within the Palestinian National Policy Agenda 2017-2022 – AID 11279.
In line with the initiative’s objectives, aimed at “promoting women’s economic empowerment and their participation in decision-making processes,” the Rihannah Association is carrying out activities designed to “strengthen the economic autonomy of women in the West Bank and East Jerusalem, improve their income-generating opportunities, enhance entrepreneurial skills, and facilitate broader access to the market, thereby contributing to gender equality and the region’s economic resilience.”
During the monitoring visit, 50 women from the camp participated in an interactive training session led by Dr. Maram Abu Garbieh, who guided participants through games and group exercises to reflect on the strengths and weaknesses that emerge when launching an entrepreneurial project.
At the same time, the project has promoted five professional training workshops in gastronomy, aimed at adapting traditional Palestinian cuisine to modern preparation and presentation techniques. The courses included modules on food hygiene, ingredient preservation and efficient management, as well as product marketing strategies.
Thanks to the collaboration with the Rihannah Association, women in the camp now have a safe space to cook traditional Palestinian dishes, with the goal of revitalizing the association’s kitchen and launching professional catering activities.
Through this initiative, participants have acquired practical skills to turn food preparation into work opportunities, modernizing traditional recipes while safeguarding local cultural heritage and opening the door to new income possibilities.
