Jordan bazar promotes self-employed Jordanian and Syrian women
Three-day event brings together Jordanian and Syrian women to showcase homemade products and explore ways to develop their businesses.
8 November 2016
Content also available in:
العربية
Amman, Jordan (ILO News) A three-day bazar, which ended in Amman on Tuesday (November 8), brought together Jordanian women and Syrian refugee women to showcase their products, as part of efforts to promote home-based businesses for women.
The bazar drew around 120 women from across the country to sell a range of homemade products, including soaps, accessories, embroideries, handicrafts, clothes and food.
It was the eighth such bazar to be organized by the Ministry of Labour, but the first to bring together women from both the national and Syrian refugee communities.
Jordan’s Minister of Labour Ali Al Ghezawi said the event, which is being supported by the ILO and the UNDP, highlighted the importance of encouraging self-employed women in Jordan.
“There are many success stories here today of women who are at home taking care of their children, but at the same time are contributing to their household through these home-based businesses,” said Al Ghezawi. “We must encourage them to further develop their work.”
The ILO has been working with the Ministry of Labour to support communities in Jordan straining to cope with the influx of refugees fleeing the war in neighbouring Syria.
The presence of Syrian refugees in Jordan has put additional strain on Jordanian society, natural resources and economy, including the labour market. The ILO’s response to the refugee crisis includes initiatives to enhance employment opportunities and livelihoods for both Syrian refugees and members of their host communities.
“We hope that such platforms will help these women attract more customers and encourage more home-based business opportunities for women,” said Maha Kattaa, the ILO’s Coordinator for the Syrian Refugee Response in Jordan. “It is important to provide these women with an opportunity for income generation in efforts to help them and their families cope financially. At the same time, we need to provide them with a clear legal framework under which they should work legally and formally, especially Syrian women.”
Jordanian Amani Zoureke makes pastries and sweets at home. She says she likes participating in bazars because it helps her meet more customers. “I started off my business because people saw how well I cooked and started placing orders. So word of mouth helped me start my business and now I also participate in bazars,” said Zoureke. “I’m hoping that through these bazars I will meet more people. I like selling food because I make extra income to help my family. It is a great feeling to be productive, even if it’s tiring.”
Syrian Manal Al Rifai, who now lives in the northern city of Irbid, came to Amman to participate in the bazar. She makes soap and all-natural vinegar with the help of her husband, a former pharmacist. She says their products are their only means of income but she feels optimistic that despite the financial strain, they will be able to expand their business to reach more people. “I have lots of customers asking for vinegar because it is a great natural remedy to cure many illnesses,” said Al Rifai. “We want to expand our business in Jordan and outside of Jordan, even reaching Syria one day.”
The bazar drew around 120 women from across the country to sell a range of homemade products, including soaps, accessories, embroideries, handicrafts, clothes and food.
It was the eighth such bazar to be organized by the Ministry of Labour, but the first to bring together women from both the national and Syrian refugee communities.
Jordan’s Minister of Labour Ali Al Ghezawi said the event, which is being supported by the ILO and the UNDP, highlighted the importance of encouraging self-employed women in Jordan.
“There are many success stories here today of women who are at home taking care of their children, but at the same time are contributing to their household through these home-based businesses,” said Al Ghezawi. “We must encourage them to further develop their work.”
The ILO has been working with the Ministry of Labour to support communities in Jordan straining to cope with the influx of refugees fleeing the war in neighbouring Syria.
The presence of Syrian refugees in Jordan has put additional strain on Jordanian society, natural resources and economy, including the labour market. The ILO’s response to the refugee crisis includes initiatives to enhance employment opportunities and livelihoods for both Syrian refugees and members of their host communities.
“We hope that such platforms will help these women attract more customers and encourage more home-based business opportunities for women,” said Maha Kattaa, the ILO’s Coordinator for the Syrian Refugee Response in Jordan. “It is important to provide these women with an opportunity for income generation in efforts to help them and their families cope financially. At the same time, we need to provide them with a clear legal framework under which they should work legally and formally, especially Syrian women.”
Jordanian Amani Zoureke makes pastries and sweets at home. She says she likes participating in bazars because it helps her meet more customers. “I started off my business because people saw how well I cooked and started placing orders. So word of mouth helped me start my business and now I also participate in bazars,” said Zoureke. “I’m hoping that through these bazars I will meet more people. I like selling food because I make extra income to help my family. It is a great feeling to be productive, even if it’s tiring.”
Syrian Manal Al Rifai, who now lives in the northern city of Irbid, came to Amman to participate in the bazar. She makes soap and all-natural vinegar with the help of her husband, a former pharmacist. She says their products are their only means of income but she feels optimistic that despite the financial strain, they will be able to expand their business to reach more people. “I have lots of customers asking for vinegar because it is a great natural remedy to cure many illnesses,” said Al Rifai. “We want to expand our business in Jordan and outside of Jordan, even reaching Syria one day.”