A Study of Women and Work in 'Shatti' Refugee Camp of the Gaza Strip, by Erica Lang and Itimad Mohanna
A Study of Women and Work in 'Shatti' Refugee Camp of the Gaza Strip, by Erica Lang and Itimad Mohanna
Published by the Arab Thought Forum. 179 pages. Paperback (S8295QWSO)
From the introduction: A substantial number of highly qualitative and analytical articles concerning women and development in the West Bank and Gaza strip have been written. However, as most researchers are only able to conduct a limited number of pre-selected interviews on which to base their conclusions, many general theoretical assumptions have to be made about the lives of women as a whole. In addition, a dominant focus of researchers has been that of the mobilisation and liberation of women with regard to their relation to the national question. In light of this, it is increasingly recognised that the collection of base-line data is necessary to determine the actual reality for women, their work and problems. Fundamental questions concerning women's liberation and mobilisation at economic, political and social levels can then be answered more effectively. The collection of ad curate data is also relevant to development itself. Gathering information about ~women's lives is an important pre-condition for both the successful design and implementation of development projects. An evaluation of women's role in economic and social development contributes to an understanding of how their control over available resources can be increased through various development initiatives. This study attempts to serve as one such resource. It does not however try to provide solutions. it is not an end result but. aims to be part of a process. recommendations and evaluations concerning the methodology, issues, priorities, targets, objectives etc. can be achieved through important follow-up and feed-back through, for example, workshops among the development community in Gaza.
The few studies existing on the subject of Palestinian women and work have focused on wage labour employment in Israel as day labourers and· in the West Bank and Gaza in the sub contracting industry (Rockwell 1984; Fawry 1986; Siniora 1987). Although these address significant development phenomena, waged work is relevant to a relatively small percentage of women. This research aims to determine and examine the extent and nature of the role of refugee women in not only waged labour but also their work in activities concerning the household economy, particularly home subsistence production, income and wealth generation as well as in meeting basic needs through domestic non-waged labour. these activities are central to the very survival of a society, its economy and development. In Gaza the socio economic role of women is compounded by the absence of a national authority and state infrastructure. The significance and centrality of women in development is, however, a global phenomenon. Any research premise or methodology must be one which simultaneously recognises women's invisibility and centrality. It must start from the assumption that women are not marginal to development, nor awaiting its attainment. Women are in fact instrumental and constitute the cornerstone on which the process can take place.
The condition of the book is generally good. The cover has one or two minor scuffs, and some light wear along the edges and corners (including a deep crease running across the bottom left corner of the rear side cover), but the spine is tight and intact, and all pages are clean, intact, unblemished and tightly bound.
Published by the Arab Thought Forum. 179 pages. Paperback (S8295QWSO)
From the introduction: A substantial number of highly qualitative and analytical articles concerning women and development in the West Bank and Gaza strip have been written. However, as most researchers are only able to conduct a limited number of pre-selected interviews on which to base their conclusions, many general theoretical assumptions have to be made about the lives of women as a whole. In addition, a dominant focus of researchers has been that of the mobilisation and liberation of women with regard to their relation to the national question. In light of this, it is increasingly recognised that the collection of base-line data is necessary to determine the actual reality for women, their work and problems. Fundamental questions concerning women's liberation and mobilisation at economic, political and social levels can then be answered more effectively. The collection of ad curate data is also relevant to development itself. Gathering information about ~women's lives is an important pre-condition for both the successful design and implementation of development projects. An evaluation of women's role in economic and social development contributes to an understanding of how their control over available resources can be increased through various development initiatives. This study attempts to serve as one such resource. It does not however try to provide solutions. it is not an end result but. aims to be part of a process. recommendations and evaluations concerning the methodology, issues, priorities, targets, objectives etc. can be achieved through important follow-up and feed-back through, for example, workshops among the development community in Gaza.
The few studies existing on the subject of Palestinian women and work have focused on wage labour employment in Israel as day labourers and· in the West Bank and Gaza in the sub contracting industry (Rockwell 1984; Fawry 1986; Siniora 1987). Although these address significant development phenomena, waged work is relevant to a relatively small percentage of women. This research aims to determine and examine the extent and nature of the role of refugee women in not only waged labour but also their work in activities concerning the household economy, particularly home subsistence production, income and wealth generation as well as in meeting basic needs through domestic non-waged labour. these activities are central to the very survival of a society, its economy and development. In Gaza the socio economic role of women is compounded by the absence of a national authority and state infrastructure. The significance and centrality of women in development is, however, a global phenomenon. Any research premise or methodology must be one which simultaneously recognises women's invisibility and centrality. It must start from the assumption that women are not marginal to development, nor awaiting its attainment. Women are in fact instrumental and constitute the cornerstone on which the process can take place.
The condition of the book is generally good. The cover has one or two minor scuffs, and some light wear along the edges and corners (including a deep crease running across the bottom left corner of the rear side cover), but the spine is tight and intact, and all pages are clean, intact, unblemished and tightly bound.
| Condition | New |