Palestinian women sew to survive
Struggling to make ends meet, the women of Gaza sew painstakingly detailed embroidery work for small profits.
GAZA CITY, Gaza Strip — Um Yasmine Abu Oueily, 52, has embroidered hundreds of pieces using the “rural embroidery” method. This method distinguishes Palestinian embroidery, whose patterns and forms usually depict a Canaanite star, a significant design in Palestinian history.
However, Um Yasmine does not own a single piece of embroidery. She does not own an embroidered dress, shawl or bag, and has never even thought about it. She is more concerned about satisfying the daily needs of her unemployed husband and unemployed daughter.
As she smiles shyly, Um Yasmine said, “Frankly, I have no embroidered pieces to wear because such pieces are costly, and I buy yarn and cloth to make embroideries for others. I make about $50 a month.”
The economic situation has been very bad, she said, following the closure of the crossings. No visitors or tourists are coming to buy embroidered pieces anymore, and institutions are no longer able to market their products outside Gaza.
