From displacement to self-sufficiency in Palestine

In the Nur Shams refugee camp in the West Bank, a group of displaced women have moved from a state of insecurity and dependency to greater self-confidence and self-reliance.

Empowering women through education

Through leadership and vocational training, they have strengthened their skills, built networks and begun to formulate their own plans for the future. Over the course of the year, several of the women have been able to start contributing to their families’ livelihoods, create small businesses, and even educate university students in their vocational skills.

The initiative is run by the Palme Center’s partner HDIP, a civil society organisation working to empower marginalised women and young people through education, networking and local advocacy. With a clear grassroots foundation, the organisation mobilises local groups, helps them become active agents of change and to hold decision-makers accountable.

From student to mentor

One of the participants is Fatima from Tulkarem.

After taking part in HDIP’s economic empowerment programme, she developed her skills through vocational training and started her own business. With support from the organisation she has also gone from being a participating student to becoming a mentor, educating university students herself.

Fatima’s journey shows how the combination of psychosocial support, education and economic empowerment can transform trauma into agency. Today, she is not only an entrepreneur – but a role model for other women in the camp and proof that even in the shadow of conflict, new opportunities can emerge.