19-12-2010

The Palestinian Businesswomen's Association (Asala) took part in the Regional Rural Women's Bazaar in Jordan. The bazaar, which was held under the Patronage of HRH Princess Basma Bint Talal, was organized by Oxfam Québec. Jordanian, Lebanese, and Tunisian partners in the Regional Economic Empowerment for Women Project (REEWP) also joined the bazaar.

During her visit to the Palestine section of the bazaar HRH Princess Basma Bint Talal commended the products and handicrafts of the Palestinian women and the Palestinian women's ability to be creative despite all hardships.

HRH Princess Basma Bint Talal considered the bazaar, which is a REEWP activity funded by the Canadian government through the Canadian International Development Agency, an important opportunity for Arab women to exchange experience and knowledge. The bazaar was also an occasion to empower women's participation through telecommunication.

REEWP director Marie-France Guimond said the programs and activities of the project aimed to provide a sustainable development environment and economic empowerment to women in the Middle East and North Africa region. The bazaar provided an opportunity for rural women to communicate and learn how to achieve self-sufficiency, according to Marie-France Guimond. The Bazaar lasted for two days and was praised by the public. 

Asala's Executive Director Reem Abboushi said the Regional Rural Women's Bazaar was an important opportunity for Palestinian women to display their products and to become familiar with other Arab women's experience. 

The programs of Asala seek to provide local and regional marketing opportunities for Palestinian women's products, which are of high quality and reflect the experience of the Palestinian women, according to Reem Abboushi.

The Regional Rural Women's Bazaar took place in Amman and sixteen Palestinian women took part in the Bazaar through Asala. Their displayed products included handicrafts, embroidery, products made of straw, carved wood and copper, soap, and food products.