“You Are Life” Exhibition: A Message of Hope and Economic Empowerment for Women in Jericho
Jericho – January 16, 2026
In recognition of the importance of women’s empowerment as a national priority and a key investment in sustainable social development, the Democracy and Workers’ Rights Center organized the Women’s Products Exhibition “You Are Life” on Friday, January 16, 2026, at the Spanish Garden in the city of Jericho. The exhibition was held in cooperation with the Women’s Center of Ein Al Sultan Refugee Camp and the National Coalition for Advocating Women’s Rights “My Right”.
A total of 42 women-led entrepreneurial projects participated in the exhibition, representing a diverse range of business initiatives. These included clothing recycling, glass and ceramic painting, production of food items, sweets, and pickles, coffee production from date pits, and various other handicrafts such as crochet work.
The participating projects also featured the production of natural cosmetics, embroidered accessories, fashion design, tailoring, weaving, and garment making, the manufacture of sanitary paper products, printing on clothing and kitchenware, agricultural nurseries, traditional heritage handicrafts, and the production of goods derived from beeswax.
This activity was implemented within the framework of the project “Partners for Equity, Partners for Change,” funded by the European Union and implemented by the Democracy and Workers’ Rights Center in partnership with the National Society for Rehabilitation – Gaza Strip. The project aims to strengthen the role of Palestinian civil society organizations in promoting equality in rights and opportunities in Palestine, with a particular focus on the social and economic rights of women and persons with disabilities.
The exhibition was inaugurated in the presence of representatives from relevant ministries, civil society organizations, and a number of prominent figures from the Jericho and Jordan Valley Governorate.
Ahmed Salah, a representative of the Democracy and Workers’ Rights Center, stated in an interview with Wattan News Agency that the primary objective of the exhibition is to focus on marginalized groups and areas within society, particularly in the Jericho and Jordan Valley region. He explained that the project seeks to empower these groups by providing them with a platform to express themselves, market their diverse products, and generate income, while also emphasizing the importance of supporting national products.
Maysar Waqqad, Executive Director of the Ein Al Sultan Refugee Camp Women’s Center, told Wattan News Agency that “the exhibition aims to strengthen women’s resilience in Jericho and the Jordan Valley, enhance their participation in economic projects within the governorate, and advance the marketing of their products.” Waqqad also expressed her hope for the continued organization of exhibitions and the implementation of projects aimed at empowering women and improving their economic and living conditions in the Jericho and Jordan Valley Governorate.
Ismail Abu Jaber, Representative of the Governor of Jericho and the Jordan Valley, stressed in his remarks to Wattan News Agency the importance of women’s economic empowerment, noting that such projects enhance women’s roles and rights, enable them to support their families amid the difficult economic conditions facing the Palestinian people, and contribute to reducing labor in settlements.
Mohammad Qubaa, Director General of the Ministry of Labor Directorate in the Jericho and Jordan Valley Governorate, told Wattan News Agency that the Ministry has developed a strategy focused on establishing and developing small-scale enterprises, particularly in light of the current economic conditions facing the Palestinian people. He noted that this strategy aims to expand employment opportunities and reduce unemployment.
Yaqub Salah Al Din, Director General of the Ministry of Social Development Directorate in the Jericho and Jordan Valley Governorate, stated in his speech that the Ministry has supported approximately 811 projects targeting women and, in particular, women-headed households, including women with disabilities. He noted that these projects varied across service, industrial, agricultural, and productive sectors, underscoring the diversity of women’s capabilities and the Ministry’s responsiveness to the needs of the local market.
Speaking about her project, Nihaya Damo, owner of “Al Asala for Popular Heritage,” told Wattan News Agency: “I work on recycling old traditional embroidered dresses by renewing and redesigning them in a modern style suitable for wedding ceremonies, in addition to utilizing fabric remnants in the production of accessories.” She emphasized the importance of preserving national heritage and safeguarding every piece of it.
Speaking about his project, a member of the Medicinal Plants Association and one of the founders of the “Date Pit Coffee” project told Wattan News Agency: “We produce coffee made from date pits as a healthy alternative that helps address several health conditions, such as diabetes, kidney and liver diseases, and high blood pressure,” noting that it is caffeine free.
Accordingly, every participant in the exhibition carries a story that reflects creativity, challenge, and determination to move forward despite difficult circumstances, in pursuit of their professional and life aspirations.