NAGHAM KARAJEH

Gaza- The first all-women café has been opened in the Gaza Strip. The entire team of the café consists of only women. Alaa Abu Thabet, the director of the café, says their aim is to provide a safe space for women.

Indicating that they decided to open the café in order to provide a safe and comfortable space for women and girls away from harassment and criticism from men, Alaa Abu Thabet said, “We had difficulty in finding women to work in the café. But we were determined to break the norms and chose young women trying to improve their financial condition in order to support their families. One of the aims of this project is to provide a job opportunity for young women. Palestinian women are always productive.”

“We need such projects”

One of the customers of the café, Faten Harb likes the idea of the project. “This café is a space for women to relax. It also provides psychological support to women. Palestinian women need such spaces to be away from the ongoing war, siege and family problems. All employees of the café are women and this shows women’s productivity. I hope all young women will break the barriers caused by traditions and customs that prevent them from working.”

She overcame barriers

Amna Al-Hayek is one of the employees of the café. She wants to strengthen herself economically by working in the café.

Fatima Masoud is also an employee of the café. “When I heard that the café would hire women, I applied for the job. Although my family claimed that it was a men’s job and tried to prevent me from working for the café, I convinced them. Women must break the barriers of fear and participate in the labor force.”