ASALA has for twenty years brought empowerment to Palestinian women
Nisaa FM: - The Palestinian Businesswomen’s Association (ASALA) celebrated its 20th anniversary on December 12 at the Grand Park Hotel in Ramallah. To celebrate the event, ASALA hosted a bazaar with display of various handicrafts, accessories, food, fashion, soaps, natural oils and holiday gifts.
The main objective of the event was to define ASALA as an institution working to empower Palestinian women of limited resources to reach their economic and social rights. The association works to empower women through lobbying campaigns and the changing of laws that may prevent access to economic empowerment. ASALA also promotes local products produced by Palestinian women. Many local women face difficulties when it comes to access to information on new markets and promotion of their products. Hence, ASALA helps them raise the competitiveness of their products to facilitate their entry into the business world.
"ASALA has three basic programs, including helping women reach markets by receiving a variety of training programs, including financial and technical training and training on human rights," said ASALA Chairwoman Raja Rantisi.
Undersecretary of the Ministry of Women's Affairs, Bassam Al-Khatib, who was present at the event, said that the economic empowerment of women falls within the Ministry's strategic objectives. Economic empowerment will enable women; give them autonomy in the society and in the family.
"We expect women to raise the quality of their products while prices remain within the purchasing power of consumers. They must change the classic style of production and not just on Palestinian embroideries and food products, but they must strive to develop to increase their profits and thus enable them economically."
About ASALA
The Palestinian Businesswomen’s Association was founded in 1997 and it registered as a non-profit organization in 2001. ASALA’s mission is and has always been to provide services that help women in poverty change their lives, their social position, and their future by enabling and encouraging their successful participation in sustainable economic activities. ASALA envisions an entrepreneurial Palestinian woman who is capable and influential in a democratic, socially just society.
To listen to an audio report about the event, go to www.radionisaa.ps (Arabic only)