"Women are in double jeopardy. Discriminated against as women, they are also as likely as men, if not more so, to become victims of human rights violations... Today, what unites women internationally - transcending class, race, culture, religion, nationality and ethnic origin - is their vulnerability to the denial and violation of their fundamental human rights, and their dedicated efforts to claim those rights."
Amnesty International, Human Rights are Women's Right (2004)
Empowering womenmeans to promote the self actualization and influence of women.
-- Merriam –Webster Online Dictionary
Why is it important to empower women in Israel? For at least two reasons: First, empowered women can create a change. In the Middle East many women are oppressed and marginalized politically, socially, economically and in other ways. Consequently, their ability to work for political reform, justice, human rights and peace is highly compromised. It is our belief that once empowered; these same women will be able to use their intimate familiarity with the means and machinations of authoritarianism - which has equipped them well, albeit at a terrible price - to lead the way to a better life for all.
Second, women are the main caregivers of children and therefore hold a key role in shapingthe next generation – our common future. Children who experience abuse, trauma, and/or grow up in an area of the world riddled with violence, often have more tendencies to use violence and aggression to resolve life issues. These children need a strong, loving person to protect them and teach them a different way of being in the world. Empowered mothers can be this person.
Unfortunately, many mothers in the Middle East live in fear not only of violence from the outside but also of intimate violence. Fearful mothers cannot protect their children no matter how much they love them (Bollen, 2005). Women who are disempowered and fearful will also find it difficult to speak out against the violence and work for social justice and peace. On the other hand empowered women can both protect the children and work for social change. Empowering women to achieve these goals is what we have been doing through the Beyond Words programs for several years. .
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