The Ma’an Development Center signed support agreements with 30 women beneficiaries under the project “Inclusive Support for Civil Society Organizations in the Gaza Strip with a Focus on Women” under the “Investment Program for Resilience (IPR)”, implemented by the United Nations Development Programme/Programme of Assistance to the Palestinian People (UNDP/PAPP), with funding from the of Germany Government through its Development Bank (KfW)
The project aims to contribute to restoring livelihoods and strengthening the resilience of local communities, while promoting women’s economic empowerment as a key pillar of early recovery efforts in the Gaza Strip. It also seeks to strengthen the social, economic, and emotional resilience of conflict-affected women and youth in Gaza by providing practical skills, psychosocial support services, and access to small-scale income-generating opportunities within a gender-transformative and protection-sensitive framework.
This milestone was achieved following a three-month journey that began with specialized training sessions, followed by individualized mentoring sessions designed to identify the specific needs of the targeted businesses, develop appropriate support plans, and prepare bills of quantities to facilitate the procurement of the required items and equipment.
This achievement reflects the scale of the challenges facing Palestinian women, while also highlighting their determination, ambition, and ability to continue rebuilding their livelihoods despite extremely difficult circumstances. It further underscores the importance of investing in women’s support and economic empowerment as a vital pathway to strengthening livelihoods, particularly for women who are primary breadwinners for their families.
Following the signing of the agreements, the participating women will receive tailored support and mentoring packages, alongside the procurement and delivery of the tools and equipment needed to help them rebuild and strengthen their businesses. These interventions are expected to contribute to improving their incomes, enhancing business sustainability, and strengthening their participation in local markets.
The stories of these women represent powerful examples of determination, resilience, and the ability to turn challenges into opportunities. Their efforts to rebuild their livelihoods amid devastating circumstances reaffirm that women’s empowerment is an essential component of recovery and resilience-building in communities affected by conflict.
