ActionAid Palestine Organizes Roundtable to Highlight the Struggles of Women in Hebron and Strengthen Their Solidarity on International Women’s Day
West Bank – Hebron – ActionAid Palestine organized a roundtable in the Old City of Hebron on the occasion of International Women’s Day to shed light on the challenges women face in the area and to strengthen solidarity among them. The roundtable brought together 23 women beneficiaries of the “Valiance -Basala – Empowering women in Old City of Hebron (H2)W project, funded by the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, who had previously received grants to launch and develop their own initiatives.
Women in the Old City of Hebron face a difficult reality caused by illegal Israeli policies, including movement restrictions, repeated closures, and settler violence. These policies have led to a decline in economic activity, intensifying the challenges women face in securing stable incomes or developing their own projects. Many women strive to break the cycle of economic and social isolation and build more sustainable livelihoods for themselves and their families under these complex conditions.
The roundtable provided a safe space for women to share their experiences and stories regarding daily challenges, both in work and community life within the Old City. During the open discussion, participants spoke about the difficulties posed by movement restrictions, limited access to markets and resources, and the social and economic pressures they endure in this restricted environment. They also shared inspiring stories of how the grants they received were transformed into small projects that help support their families, boost self-confidence, enhance economic independence, and empower them to persevere despite hardships. The event also offered an opportunity for women to exchange experiences and strategies for coping and continuing their work, emphasizing the importance of solidarity among women in facing common challenges.
Through the “Basala” project, ActionAid Palestine works to empower Palestinian women to address the structural causes of marginalization and gender inequality in society. The project also includes awareness-raising activities designed to increase women’s and the community’s understanding of various health and legal issues, while training women in advocacy campaigns to strengthen resilience and ensure a dignified and healthy life despite the difficult conditions in the area.
ActionAid’s approach focuses on supporting women in the most vulnerable areas by providing spaces for dialogue, connection, and the creation of sustainable support networks. This approach strengthens women’s ability to persevere, opens real opportunities for growth and impact in their communities, and reinforces their role as key actors in building more just and resilient societies, even in the most challenging environments.
About ActionAid International
ActionAid International is a global federation working with more than 41 million people across over 72 of the world’s poorest countries. We strive for a world founded on justice and sustainability, where everyone enjoys a life of dignity, freedom, and a world free from poverty and oppression. Our work focuses on achieving social justice, gender equality, and eradicating poverty.
ActionAid began its work in Palestine in 2007 to strengthen the resilience of the Palestinian people, grounded in their right to freedom, justice, and self-determination. In Palestine, ActionAid implements various programmes through engagement with Palestinian communities, youth groups, and women. We aim to empower women and young people, enhance their effective civic and political participation, deepen their understanding of their rights, and mobilize them to engage in collective action to address rights violations resulting from prolonged occupation. Additionally, we work to strengthen their leadership capacities and support them in practicing active citizenship by holding authorities and other duty bearers accountable.
For more information, please contact:
Riham Jafari
Communications and Advocacy coordinator – ActionAid Palestine