The Italian Agency for Development Cooperation (AICS) continues its commitment to supporting the strengthening of Palestinian institutions in effectively integrating gender mainstreaming into policy-making processes and the socio-economic development of the territory.
In particular, the initiative “OIL – Pilot Project to Strengthen Gender Integration in Palestine” (AID 012160), implemented in collaboration with the Ministry of Women’s Affairs (MoWA), aims to enhance women’s participation in the agricultural sector as active protagonists in rural development processes, with the goal of promoting a more inclusive and sustainable approach to local economic growth.
Through this initiative, MoWA has announced the official launch and financial support of 15 projects led by women’s cooperatives in the fields of agriculture, herbal products, and creative industries. The cooperatives involved had previously received technical and financial training, equipping them with practical tools to start and manage entrepreneurial activities in the agricultural sector.
The launch event, held on July 16 in Nablus, was attended by the Minister of Women’s Affairs, representatives of local authorities from the participating governorates, as well as around 70 members of the women’s business community and civil society organizations active in the area. The meeting provided an important opportunity to share experiences, gather recommendations, and strengthen dialogue between institutional actors and local communities.
During the event, a study on women’s participation in the agricultural sector was also presented. Conducted by MoWA in collaboration with the Ministry of Agriculture, the study analyzes barriers and opportunities related to women’s involvement in the sector, identifying strategic areas for more equitable and participatory development.
As part of the OIL initiative, a new training course, currently being designed, will also be launched, focusing on marketing and financial management in the agricultural field. The course will be organized in collaboration with the Ministry of Education.
In total, 90 women will directly benefit from the new economic initiatives promoted, contributing to building a more inclusive, resilient, and gender-sensitive model of agricultural development.
