To examine the loans and enterprises effect on community participations of the surveyed women, it has been found, through focus groups, interviews with lending institutions’ workers, community, women’s, economic organizations and community leaders, that the loans and enterprises have an impact on women’s community participation, in terms of increasing their involvement in seminars or awareness workshops on many women and community issues. Some of them did not participate prior to the enterprise, a number of them participate in election voting, few of them experienced the candidacy for elections, some of them had joined the chambers of commerce, and some joined the Women’s Union. It should be mentioned that the community perception of these borrowers have changed a lot for the better. They are perceived with respect and appreciation, on the grounds that they have become productive and have social activity.
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The borrowers in one of the groups stated that “they had become more involved in attending seminars and workshops. Also, many of them have attained positions in local associations and members of administrative bodies. They also said that they participate in all elections that occur within the village- on the level of local and municipal councils.” This was repeated in most groups.
THE FEMALE FIELD WORKERS ALSO MENTIONED THAT MANY WOMEN WERE ASSIGNED IN LOCAL LEADERSHIP POSITIONS AND BECAME MEMBERS OF THE VILLAGE COUNCIL. ONE OF THE FEMALE FIELD WORKERS STATED THAT SOME OF THEM PARTICIPATED IN THE ENACTMENT OF MUNICIPAL LAWS, OTHERS ARE INVOLVED IN THE ENACTMENT OF THE AGRICULTURAL WORK LAWS, AND OTHER WOMEN ARE SEEKING TO AMEND THE WOMEN’S RIGHTS LAWS.
Most of the female field workers explained that many women increased their participation in seminars and capacity building after the enterprise while other women did not participate in any training courses before the enterprise, yet after that they take part in symposia on domestic violence and early marriage. Many of them participated in the sessions of leadership and enterprise management as well as sessions of communication and networking. They become involved in seminars on the decision-making, violence and adolescence. They also said that some of the are members of trade unions and different women’s committee as most of them joined them after the enterprise and that some of them joined the chambers of commerce. Comments of women’s organizations regarding the borrowers’ community role dif- fered. The responses from the north West Bank were not encouraging and indicated that the enterprises did not increase the women’s community participation , to the extent that some may believe that work prevent having the access to leadership po- sitions and that these enterprises are to benefit families not women, therefore their participation is intangible. In contrast, some female field workers emphasized that women in their area increased their vitality and participation in unions and women’s patterns.
All women’s institutions in the central regions that have been interviewed stated that women participate in courses on women’s rights in the elections and domestic violence and other activities. Also, they take part in seminars on women’s participa- tion in politics and in public demonstrations. Furthermore, the economic institutions approved the positive community role of the majority of borrowers as they are in- volved more in their community, i.e., they participate in seminars, vote in elections, nominate for elections, and also seek to develop their businesses. All of this led to a more positive attitude towards them.
Nevertheless, the participation of some remained limited, both for the participation in seminars or in trade unions. Some of them want to activate their role while others are not convinced. Some of the surveyed women mentioned that they are looking forward to join the chambers of commerce and to increase their community partici- pation, because they are inactive in this aspect. Other women said they do not want community participations; they do not have ambitions to have any leadership posi- tion and do not think of joining any association or a chamber of commerce.
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With regard to non-borrowers, we found that there is participation after the enter- prise but it is limited. A group of them confirmed that they are members in many charities and the Association of Palestinian Workers and reported that “This did not happen until we succeeded in our enterprises.” Moreover, there are also women who participated in the electoral process that took place at the municipal level and the presidency. A woman said: “I was a candidate for the Presidency of the Council in my hometown and this of course was after sh hade became well-known via her enterprise within her community.”
In spite of this, it was noted that the participation rate of women non-borrowers com- pared with borrowers was very low and that most of them do not have any kind of participations in seminars or workshops, or to join the chambers of commerce, trade unions, Union of Women’s Committees, or even participate in the elections. Most of them did not participate as they are not convinced or because they are not aware of the importance of their community role or because of their husbands’ refusal to do so. In the meantime some of them desire to change and to have participations in these aspects.
“The mother-in-law was saying when she sees her daughter-in-law participating in a community work “lie around and leaving her children without care.’ But when she had a productive enterprise and she leaves plus being late, even if that for a community work , she says” She is taking care of her children’s livelihood, “ A representative of a lending institution.
It was noted that after the enterprise establishment, the borrowers personality be- came stronger, their patterns of their social life improved, they entered the arena of social and institutional life, involved in the elections, and have the ambitions to have leadership roles. While non-borrowers are not interested a lot in public work, elections, or leadership roles while we find that their economic conditions are much better than the borrowers.
As for the borrowers from Gaza, they have ambitions to participate in workshops and seminars, but they limited ambitions to be in leadership positions in the community. They said they are participating in social work related to their work, but they did not think of joining the chambers of commerce. They emphasized that there is a change in the borrowers’ concepts and they became more aware that they can help men in holding the family’s economic responsibilities; they can serve the community and give it more than men can do.