Arab Women Turn to Crafts as a Source of Employment

Some plant, some weave, and some and some work as designers. In the Middle East many women have turned to crafts to as a source of employment. The group that has started this is called Sitat Byoot or in English Women of the Home. The marketing of these products are primarily done on the internet through sites like facebook, but for those women who do not have internet access this market is spread by word of mouth. Suzan Qouqas a woman from Amman who studied to become a pharmacist was told by her past husband she was not allowed to work in this field or even work at all. She was then divorced with 3 children.   She said she stumbled upon Women of the Home on facebook, and was welcomed to join. This has become a great opportunity for these women. It is a way for them to have opportunities  to work and even more work from home where they can still be with their children. Traditional values of women are embedded in their culture, although women in Jordan have become lawyers, doctors and ministers. Although there are these job opportunities for these women in this crafting business there will always be real challenges for women. Women who live in more conservative rural areas are involved with family feuds by just going to training sessions.

http://www.nytimes.com/2012/11/01/world/middleeast/01iht-m01-jordan-women.html?ref=middleeast

October 31 2012
Rana F. Sweis

Kacie Greer