WUNRN
http://womeninhebron.com/our-story/
PALESTINE-HEBRON – WOMEN CREATED CRAFT COOPERATIVE PROVIDES ECONOMIC SUPPORT & LEADERSHIP, AMIDST PALESTINE OCCUPATION & CONFLICTS
Women in Hebron is a Palestinian nonprofit fair trade
cooperative under the Idna Cooperative Association for Embroidery and
Handicrafts. Idna is a mid-sized Palestinian city of around 25,000 people,
located to the southwest of Hebron in the West Bank.
Traditional homespun
wool carpets by Women in Hebron are popular items for both foreigners and
Palestinians. They are especially used during the winter, when
Palestinian homes made of stone and concrete can become quite cold.
Durable with vibrant colors, they bring a unique atmosphere of elegant
simplicity and rugged character.
Women in Hebron was established as part of the
cooperative association’s efforts to provide women in Hebron district the
resources to provide for themselves and their families through the production
and sales of Palestinian handicraft items. Our work began in 2005, when our
founder and director, Nawal Slemiah, began selling items in the Old City souq
(market) of Hebron in the occupied H2 sector, a short distance from the
Ibrahimi Mosque. Since 2005, Women in Hebron has grown from a small table along
the main thoroughfare of the market to a permanent fixture in the Old City. As
a result of our handicraft sales through Women in Hebron, The Idna Cooperative
Association has been able to open a small community center in the village of
Idna, where members of the association can gather together to do their work,
take part in educational programs, and socialize with their peers.
The Women in Hebron pillow cushions are made of
vintage Palestinian dresses.
The 120 women who produce the items that are sold come
from across Hebron district from eight cities and villages. The proceeds from
sales provide themselves and their families with additional income that could
not otherwise be obtained through part-time employment.
Our work is based on the idea that developing
Palestinian handicrafts is more than just an income-generating project. It is
in of itself an act of community-strengthening, of honoring the role of women
in our society, and a means to show sumud (steadfastness) – in the face of the
occupation of Palestine and the harm it has done to the people of Hebron.
Contact: idnacooperative@gmail.com