Al-Zahraa: Organization for Women

GOALS
To promote the involvement of Arab women villagers in their communities and to further enhance their status by establishing a network of women's groups.

BACKGROUND
This grassroots Arab women's organization was established in 1997 in Sakhnin, in the Lower Galilee, where it operated locally until expanding into a regional body in 2000. Al-Zahraa catalyzes the creation of women's groups in Arab villages, mainly in the Sakhnin area. In 2004 it inaugurated a 5-year women's leadership-training program to include 35 villages; so far 25 villages have been incorporated in the program, and 12 new local organizations established.

STRATEGIES
Raising women's consciousness; developing leadership; empowerment; advocacy; fostering international encounters.

HIGHLIGHTS

• In 2006 Al-Zahraa conducted a comprehensive evaluation of its organizational functioning, resulting in a more active role for its board, a clarification of staff roles, professional training for key staffers, and strategic planning for the future.
• 10 empowerment courses for 200 women were initiated in 9 villages; half of which were completed and the remainder continue in 2007.
• 15 women completed an advanced leadership-training course to promote networking.
• 12 women completed 120 hours of a "Training the Trainers" course for academic women facilitators.
• 8 educational trips were conducted for some 180 Sakhnin women, plus 20 seminars on relevant issues for about 700 women from the region.