The study “Rural Women and Local Development in (Jordan, Palestine and Tunisia” is conducted within the framework of the Oxfam-Quebec Regional Economic Empowerment of Women Project (REEWP).

Three researches were conducted in three targeted countries: Jordan, Palestine and Tunisia under the technical supervision and leadership of CAWTAR. The main goal of this research is to highlight how economically empowering rural women will improve the living standards within the household and give them more access to decision making process.

This study was based on evidence-based methodology to deepen understanding and knowledge of the realities of rural women.

Two main dimensions were addressed: The first was related to the economic and social spheres which was analyzed through a quantitative methodology of the issue of economic rehabilitation of rural women under the dynamics of local development.

The second dealt with the social, anthropological issues, whereby attention was paid to themes of investment in self-interest groups and local development, and by focusing on the individual.

The question of identity was a central matter to the research. Furthermore, a gender-based approach was adopted to analyze the relations between women and men according to social roles and attitudes, power and decision making, access and control over resources; and to analyze the changes occurring as a result of women’s integration in rural development.

It concludes by providing recommendations based on the analysis of the main themes tackled, and within the need for an elaboration of programs and activities on advocacy and networking to convince policy makers and financial institutions to develop a methodology that will have a positive impact on the advancement paths and situation of rural women in general, and rural women access to economy in specific.

(Publication is in hard copy at CAWTAR)

Return