Closure of Najdeh Association economic empowerment project for Palestinian women

The European Union, Najdeh Association and CAFOD celebrated at the UNESCO Palace yesterday the closure of the project entitled: “Empowerment, Employment and Advocacy: Addressing Gender Inequality for Palestinian Women Refugees in Lebanon”  and funded by the EU, in an event organised under the auspices of the Minister of Labor, Me. Selim Jreissati, and with the participation of representatives from various ministries, the European Union, civil society organisations, Palestinian factions as well as the beneficiaries from Palestinian camps who underwent training within the framework of this project.
The aim of the Empowerment, Employment and Advocacy: Addressing Gender Inequality for Palestinian Women Refugees in Lebanon Project was to challenge the marginalization of Palestinian women and transform their stereotypical images in society through training more than 6000 women from three refugee camps notably Ain el Helwe, Baddaoui and Naher el Bared as well as in the Palestinian gathering in Saida.  The training included a number of vocational modules as well as training in finding employment opportunities, leadership, awareness raising, services for women victims of violence and other subjects as well.
The project extended over a three years span (from 2010 to 2013) and had a budget of 435000 Euros.  The project sought to challenge traditional perceptions on gender roles and equality in Lebanon and in the Palestinian camps.  The main achievements of the project was in increasing awareness of women’s rights in political and social life, building women’s skills so as to better access the job market as well as increase their contribution to the private and public sector.
The head of the EU Delegation in Lebanon, Angelina Eichhorst, emphasized in her keynote address the importance of this project at the level of the beneficiaries at well as the broader level as it sends clear support signals to all women and men who are attempting to challenge marginalization and discrimination in social, political and economic life.  She added that the participation of women in the work force and in income generation will strengthen the economy and will have positive impact on society.
The Minister of Labor highlighted the importance of the project and spoke about the difficult economic circumstances and the challenges facing Palestinians in Lebanon and the urgent need to improve their conditions as well as to support the of role of civil society and international organisations in that field.
Source: Al-Nahar, Al-Mustaqbal, Al-Diyar 4 October 2013