Marginalized refugee women face significant challenges, including poverty, lack of education, and limited job opportunities. These challenges often lead to social exclusion, limiting their access to essential services and opportunities.

The Lajee Center is a community center based in Aida Refugee Camp in Bethlehem, Palestine. The Women’s Unit has two objectives: one focusing on enhancing the centers systematic approach to the promotion of social, economic and political rights of refugee women, the other focuses on initiatives for refugee women within Aida and Al-Azza camps to build their competencies, knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to improve their social and economic rights.

To accomplish the first object, the Lajee staff members who are responsible for organizing and managing the Women’s Unit underwent trainings as well as other strategies to enhance the staff’s knowledge and skills on tackling refugee women’s concerns on one hand and, strengthen the center’s networks with relevant stakeholders and women’s rights organizations on the other hand.

The second objective was accomplished by placing programs for the participation of refugee women in facilitating their political, social and economic empowerment.

These programs include teaching women the skills necessary to manage income-generating activities, such as hand crafting and expertise on food production, as well as the knowledge on management, packaging and advertising their skills within the community

The Lajee Center's vocational training program has empowered marginalized refugee women by providing them with new skills and opportunities. The program has helped women to establish their own businesses, generating income and improving their financial stability. Additionally, the program has provided women with opportunities to participate in community events, network with other entrepreneurs, and engage in advocacy and social justice initiatives. By promoting social inclusion and community development, the program has created a more sustainable and inclusive community for marginalized refugee women in Bethlehem. Overall, the Lajee Center's vocational training program has helped to break down barriers and provide marginalized refugee women with the tools and resources they need to build a brighter future.

Photo by Levi Meir Clancy on Unsplash