Partnerships under the "Thaberi" Project to Empower Women and Girls in the Labor Market between the Palestinian Alimony Fund, the Lutheran World Federation, and Hisham Hijjawi College

As part of the “Thaberi” project, the Palestinian Maintenance Fund, in cooperation with the Lutheran World Federation and Hisham Hijjawi College, organized a virtual awareness session via Microsoft Teams, with the participation of 23 women beneficiaries from Nablus Governorate.

The session aimed to provide participants with firsthand exposure to available vocational training programs and the opportunities they offer for women and girls to engage in the labor market, pursue entrepreneurship, and access non-traditional professions that align with their skills and aspirations. This initiative falls within the framework of the Fund’s 2024 Emergency Plan, developed in response to the ongoing political and economic challenges caused by the occupation.

Mr. Anan Murar, representative of the Thaberi Program, addressed key barriers limiting women’s participation in non-traditional vocational training, including issues of accessibility, quality, and the lack of effective protection policies. He also outlined the range of support offered by the program, such as scholarships, transportation cost coverage for women and girls in vulnerable economic situations, assistance with purchasing materials and course fees during training, and financial support for post-training internships — a particularly significant challenge for many women heads of households.

Mr. Alaa Darwish, Coordinator of the Studies and Projects Unit at Hisham Hijjawi College, presented the college’s non-traditional vocational specializations available to women and girls. These programs are designed based on in-depth labor market analysis to ensure alignment with actual employment opportunities.

This session was the sixth and final awareness event in a series organized for women beneficiaries of the Palestinian Maintenance Fund who are primary caregivers or heads of their families. These sessions aim to lay the groundwork for a meaningful shift in women’s economic participation. Access to economic opportunities is a fundamental human right that empowers women economically, socially, and emotionally, while supporting dignified and secure living conditions for their families. It also fosters a spirit of entrepreneurship and responsibility, enhances women’s roles in society, and contributes to transitioning these groups from economic dependency to self-sufficiency and sustainable income generation — in line with the Palestinian Maintenance Fund’s vision for poverty reduction and economic empowerment.