Against the Odds

In the sections below we take a look at many brave men and women who are trying – against all odds – to build a future for Palestine.

Shatha Al Essawi: Communications & Public Relations Officer

Shatha is our Communications and PR Officer in Gaza. She has overcome many obstacles and shares her wisdom ahead of #InternationalWomensDay   My mother used to say to me, ‘whenever you experience injustice, take it as an opportunity to improve yourself’. As a Palestinian woman injustice comes in many guises;…

Shereen Alakhras: Accountant

Shereen is a 38 year old woman from Gaza. Here she shares her experience as a professional woman ahead of #InternationalWomensDay   As a Palestinian woman living in Gaza, I have many ambitions and dreams and want to prove to myself and others that I can overcome challenges to achieve.…

Sondos Al-Qutati: Social Worker

Sondos is a 23 year old Social Worker in the Gaza Field Office. Here she discusses her experience as a Gazan woman ahead of #InternationalWomensDay Whilst struggling under the heavy load of my final semester at university I tried to balance my academic commitments with the pressure of finding a…

Life as a refugee: A woman's perspective

Displaced Palestinian and Syrian women living in Lebanon’s refugee camps and informal gatherings are vulnerable to exploitation, poverty, ill-health and violence on a daily basis. And yet, the challenges they face are often missing from the discourse on the ‘refugee crisis’, as is the incredible resilience that they show in…

CASE STUDY: A Carer's Need

In the run up to International Women’s Day, we would like to celebrate the strength and resilience of Palestinian women the world over. We would like to share with you the story of Saeda Shaladan, a 35 year-old mother of five from Gaza. Saeda lives with her five young children…