Rural women and “Mooneh”/preserved food: Security for winter and extra income for Hasbaya rural women || Newspapers (Arabic)

As-Safir daily newspaper carried an investigative report where the writer described in minute details the preparation of winter food preserves, by women of Hasbaya and Arqoub areas. During the period of late September to early October, this occupation becomes the main concern of many women who undertake the processing of summer agricultural products and their preparation for winter storing. This yearly women task requires a great deal of time and effort as well as a separate budget. Securing the raw materials may cost between anything between one to two thousand US dollars per family. Preparation of the food preserves will normally coincide with financial pressures to meet other winter needs, mainly heating and expenses related to the start of the school year. For many women securing the necessary supplies of raw material becomes a real financial strain.  

However, the increased demand for natural, chemicals-free provisions has helped some women to earn extra income. Some of these women have actually started making a living out of the preparation of food provisions after having improved the quality of their products with training assistance provided by a number of social and development associations. Some of these women have proceeded to take part in exhibitions organised in various cities and towns. For additional information on this report, please click on the following link: Assafir