"It was fascinating to watch and hear the Bedouin women talking about their life in the community. Having the women's association and the embroidery cottage industry has empowered them."
Lee & Barbara Dudley—Atlanta, Georgia

Young Bedouin Women's Leadership Project

Partner since: 2010
Total donated: $26,548

Born into a patriarchal society, Bedouin girls have nowhere to turn for the personal or professional fulfillment that modern Israeli women enjoy just beyond Lakia's borders. For example, they are often called upon to take care of their families at a very young age; and education, employment, and financial independence are simply not part of a young woman's development.

Working with the Association for the Improvement of Women's Status in Lakia, which focuses on employment opportunities for adult women, our three-year Invest in a Village project will include English and computer lessons, high school exam preparation, and courses in women's rights and cultural identity. As the participants advance in the program, they'll gain firsthand leadership experience by counseling their younger peers, staffing a mobile library, and supporting the association's telephone line. Learn more >>