Government of Canada announces funding for economic empowerment of Palestinian women

Empowering women and girls is not just the right thing to do, it leads to more stability, more security and, crucially, more job creation.

The Honourable Jim Carr, the Minister of International Trade Diversification,  announced Government of Canada funding to help the Palestinian Business Women Forum implement the Women as the Catalyst for Change project. This initiative is designed to enhance the economic empowerment of 81 female graduates as well as 27 women-owned small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) by connecting the two groups.

Currently, youth unemployment among Palestinians is over 40%, and young women are disproportionately affected. There remain significant social and financial barriers to entrepreneurship and employment among Palestinians, particularly in terms of training, skills development and economic opportunities.

Canada is committed to addressing these needs because economic empowerment of women is a proven tool in building the social and economic conditions for greater peace and security. This includes efforts to strengthen the Palestinian economy.

The Women as the Catalyst for Change project will result in enhanced business opportunities for female graduates and women-owned SMEs as well as improved business development services including facilitating access to local and regional markets.

Original source: GA Canada
Published on 6 September 2018