Entrepreneurship as empowerment: Iman's story.
Iman, 53, is raising her 10 children in one of the closed and highly restricted areas of the West Bank, where life is shaped by constant movement limitations and human rights violations.
For Iman, it has been a continuous struggle, both emotionally and economically. Living in a closed area means limited access to services, restricted mobility, and increasing financial pressures; challenges that placed a heavy burden on her as a mother. Through ActionAid’s Basala Project, Iman became actively involved in several empowerment activities, participating in health awareness sessions, women’s rights and protection training, as well as vocational and digital marketing training. These activities strengthened her knowledge, increased her awareness of her rights, and enhanced her practical and entrepreneurial skills.
Iman also received a small grant to support her home-based macramé handicrafts business, allowing her to nurture her talent. Basala helped her to develop her skills and transform her work into a sustainable source of income, improving her family’s financial situation. Beyond the economic impact, the project had a significant effect on Iman’s sense of self:
"The support I received came at the right time. It helped me to improve my family’s income and feel stronger, more confident, and more able to face life’s challenges" says Iman.
