Palestine / Jordan
The Long Journey of Palestinian Refugee Women
The Long Journey of Palestinian Refugee Women
Where: Palestine / Jordan
When: 2013
"The Long Journey of the Palestinian Refugee Women" is a project realized in different Palestinian refugee camps in Jordan, West Bank and the Gaza Strip in partnership with the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA). It ended with an exhibition at the French Institute of Amman during the "International Image Festival of Amman », and was also presented in various refugee camps in the Gaza Strip.
Those photographs portray in a modern way the lives of Palestinian refugee women and testify not only about their strength and courage, but also about the richness and resilience of their community. Facing displacement, violence, poverty and denial of basic rights since they were forced to leave their homes in 1948, women have been guardians of Palestinian collective memory and communal identity. Teachers, doctors, engineers, daughters, sisters, wives and mothers have through their songs, their traditions, their skills and talents kept alive the collective memory of their refugee communities.
This exhibition celebrate the contribution of Palestinian women to a rich culture that flourished despite the enormous obstacles encountered throughout their refugee journey.
Today, despite the UNRWA support to the Palestinian refugee communities through education and training, healthcare, community development and microfinance, a big work remains to be done to support the specific needs of each refugee woman and girl to ensure their access to basic services and encourage them in their pursuit to build a healthy and productive future for the Palestinian people.