Israel’s Bedouin population, an Indigenous ethnic minority, contends with high rates of unemployment and poverty, particularly affecting women. Bedouin women typically find employment in manual labor, such as hospital cleaning and agricultural work, and some manage small, home-based businesses through microfinance programs. The COVID-19 pandemic and the Israel–Gaza conflict severely impacted these women, stripping them of their livelihoods and their ability to support their families, leading to feelings of helplessness and mental health issues such as depression and anxiety. A unique program was created to address these concerns by teaching Bedouin women website design and development to provide an alternative income source. An exploratory qualitative study of 25 women who participated in the WIX program revealed their challenges and motivations as well as the importance of technology in empowering those living in poverty to generate income, nationally and internationally. This chapter describes the personal aspirations of the participants, who saw the course as a means for personal and professional growth and job security. Website development, which can be done from home, aligned with their cultural traditions and domestic responsibilities. They viewed this opportunity as a way to enter the national and international job market while maintaining the safety of their home environment. Participants who were working in physically and emotionally demanding jobs under rigid management viewed the program as a chance to escape harsh work conditions, achieve flexible schedules, and gain control over their work.

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Empowering Bedouin Women in Israel: Bridging Economic Disparities Through Web Development

  • Nuzha Allassad Alhuzail

摘要

Israel’s Bedouin population, an Indigenous ethnic minority, contends with high rates of unemployment and poverty, particularly affecting women. Bedouin women typically find employment in manual labor, such as hospital cleaning and agricultural work, and some manage small, home-based businesses through microfinance programs. The COVID-19 pandemic and the Israel–Gaza conflict severely impacted these women, stripping them of their livelihoods and their ability to support their families, leading to feelings of helplessness and mental health issues such as depression and anxiety. A unique program was created to address these concerns by teaching Bedouin women website design and development to provide an alternative income source. An exploratory qualitative study of 25 women who participated in the WIX program revealed their challenges and motivations as well as the importance of technology in empowering those living in poverty to generate income, nationally and internationally. This chapter describes the personal aspirations of the participants, who saw the course as a means for personal and professional growth and job security. Website development, which can be done from home, aligned with their cultural traditions and domestic responsibilities. They viewed this opportunity as a way to enter the national and international job market while maintaining the safety of their home environment. Participants who were working in physically and emotionally demanding jobs under rigid management viewed the program as a chance to escape harsh work conditions, achieve flexible schedules, and gain control over their work.