REFIF ISLIM

Gaza- The word bazaar is from the Persian word bāzār, meaning “the place of prices”. A bazaar is an area that is always used for shopping. Palestinian young women decided to hold a three-day fair named “Palestinian Bazaar Fair” to exhibit and market their handmade products.

The Palestinian Bazaar Fair is held for the first in Gaza by the team of Hadeel Hammad, owner of Phoenix Advertising and Media Services Company and coordinator of the fair. Women having 130 booths exhibited their products such as handicrafts, traditional food, embroideries, accessories, candles, gifts, and books. We spoke to several women who participated in the fair.

“We will continue to support women”

Stating that most of the women who participated in the fair were university graduates, Hadeel Hammad said, “Women have developed their own projects because they cannot find a job. This fair is an opportunity for young women to show their projects. I call on women to develop their own projects to overcome the challenges they face. My company will continue to support women.”

She wants to be a well-known fashion designer

Aroub Abu Shawareb is one of the women who participated in the fair. After graduating from the Department of Fashion Design, she attended courses to improve herself. She has exhibited her products on her social media account. She told us that she is happy to realize her dream and that she wants to be a well-known fashion designer in the next years.

There is interest in her products

Yasmine Al-Hallaq is another young woman developing her own projects. After attending many courses to learn how to make cosmetic products, she started her own project under the name “Yasmine Beauty”. Stating that she faced many challenges after starting her project, Yasmine Al-Hallaq said that the people around her encouraged her to keep working. She also markets her products on her social media account. She told us many people were interested in her products at the fair.

She uses advertising methods

Alaa Murtaja makes ceramic products. She brings ceramics from different regions. After making ceramic products, she sells them in the Gaza Strip. She told us that she uses advertising methods to promote her products.

Those affected by the crisis also participated in the fair

Amal Abu Shaaban, who had to close her shop due to the ongoing economic crisis in the Gaza Strip, also participated in the fair to promote her electronic products.

Anwar Al-Wakeel exhibited her handicrafts at the fair. Stating that she has produced and sold handicrafts for three years, she underlined the importance of women’s economic freedom.