Palestinian Refugee Women of Jabaliya Camp, Occupied Gaza Strip: Everyday Acts of Resistance and Avenues of Empowerment
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University of Kentucky UKnowledge University of Kentucky Doctoral Dissertations Graduate School 2009 PALESTINIAN REFUGEE WOMEN OF JABALIYA CAMP, OCCUPIED GAZA STRIP: EVERYDAY ACTS OF RESISTANCE AND AVENUES OF EMPOWERMENT Sharon French Wallace University of Kentucky, [email protected] Right click to open a feedback form in a new tab to let us know how this document benefits ou.y Recommended Citation Wallace, Sharon French, "PALESTINIAN REFUGEE WOMEN OF JABALIYA CAMP, OCCUPIED GAZA STRIP: EVERYDAY ACTS OF RESISTANCE AND AVENUES OF EMPOWERMENT" (2009). University of Kentucky Doctoral Dissertations. 692. https://uknowledge.uky.edu/gradschool_diss/692 This Dissertation is brought to you for free and open access by the Graduate School at UKnowledge. It has been accepted for inclusion in University of Kentucky Doctoral Dissertations by an authorized administrator of UKnowledge. For more information, please contact [email protected]. ABSTRACT OF DISSERTATION Sharon French Wallace The Graduate School University of Kentucky 2009 PALESTINIAN REFUGEE WOMEN OF JABALIYA CAMP, OCCUPIED GAZA STRIP: EVERYDAY ACTS OF RESISTANCE AND AVENUES OF EMPOWERMENT _______________________________ ABSTRACT OF DISSERTATION _______________________________ A dissertation submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy in the College of Arts and Sciences at the University of Kentucky By Sharon French Wallace Lexington, Kentucky Director: Dr. Rosalind Harris, Professor of Sociology Lexington, Kentucky 2009 Copyright © by Sharon French Wallace, 2009 ABSTRACT OF DISSERTATION PALESTINIAN REFUGEE WOMEN OF JABALIYA CAMP, OCCUPIED GAZA STRIP: EVERYDAY ACTS OF RESISTANCE AND AVENUES OF EMPOWERMENT The lives of Palestinian refugee women are complex and layered, embedded in the constraints and dictates of a patriarchal class system within a conservative culture that has been shaped by resistance to the Israeli military occupation since 1948. Over six decades of Israeli military occupation, ongoing national resistance, poverty and a male- dominated society are a few of the forces that continue to shape the lives of refugee women today. The Israeli occupation has obstructed the development of a viable Palestinian economy and legal institutions that could serve as a framework for attaining women’s rights. In addition, Palestinian women, especially refugee women have limited employment and education opportunities due to the military violence which serves to strengthen patriarchal norms that discourage women seeking either higher education or work outside the home. Military occupation and traditional patriarchal society are therefore two inter connected processes central to the formation of gender identities and roles for women living in refugee camps. Palestinian refugee women are also part of a unique experience of being refugees on their own land. A central question arises as to whether, in the absence of an independent Palestinian state, refugee women can be agents of transformation in their personal, familial and community relations. I t is necessary to explore the potential for resistance and empowerment at the local level as defined and expressed by women and men in Jabaliya camp in an effort to assist in responding to this question. The everyday experiences of women explored in this study from the standpoint of women and men in Jabaliya refugee camp and their interpretations and perceptions of those experiences, are the basis for identifying everyday acts of resistance and potential avenues of empowerment among women in the camp. Everyday resistance and the process of empowerment are evident in the lives of women. The data show both subtle and open acts of defiance to oppressive ideas and social structures as well as a clear development of a critical understanding of women’s roles and status in the camp. KEYWORDS: Palestinian Refugee Women, Everyday Resistance, Empowerment, Gender Inequality, Refugee Women _______________________ Student Signature ________________________ Date empowerment are evident in the lives of women. The data show both subtle and open acts of defiance to oppressive ideas and social structures as well as a clear development of a critical understanding of women’s roles and status in the camp. KEYWORDS: Palestinian Refugee Women, Everyday Resistance, Empowerment, Gender Inequality, Refugee Women RULES FOR THE USE OF DISSERTATIONS Unpublished dissertations submitted for the Doctor's degree and deposited in the University of Kentucky Library are as a rule open for inspection, but are to be used only with due regard to the rights of the authors. Bibliographical references may be noted, but quotations or summaries of parts may be published only with the permission of the author, and with the usual scholarly acknowledgments. Extensive copying or publication of the dissertation in whole or in part also requires the consent of the Dean of the Graduate School of the University of Kentucky. A library that borrows this dissertation for use by its patrons is expected to secure the signature of each user. Name Date ___________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________ DISSERTATION Sharon French Wallace The Graduate School University of Kentucky 2009 PALESTINIAN REFUGEE WOMEN OF JABALIYA CAMP, OCCUPIED GAZA STRIP: EVERYDAY ACTS OF RESISTANCE AND AVENUES OF EMPOWERMENT _______________________________ DISSERTATION _______________________________ A dissertation submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy in the College of Arts and Sciences at the University of Kentucky By Sharon French Wallace Lexington, Kentucky Director: Dr. Rosalind Harris, Professor of Sociology Lexington, Kentucky 2009 Copyright © by Sharon French Wallace, 2009 To my children Camila, Lorena, Luca and Aidan, may they continue the struggle to build a more just world for all Acknowledgment I am writing this at a time when the Israeli air force is indiscriminately bombing Gaza. Jabaliya camp has been bombed. So it is with great sadness and despair that I offer my appreciation, first and foremost, to the Palestinian women and men of Jabaliya refugee camp who shared their lives with me and taught me the meaning of “sumud” or steadfastness. In spite of the brutal Israeli occupation they continue to hope for a better future. I am also grateful to Palestinian men and women, especially Aiesha an Abu Obieda, who were committed to assisting in the completion of this work. This dissertation benefited from the insights, direction and guidance of many people in the United States as well. It has been a privilege to work with the members of my committee. First, I would like to acknowledge my Dissertation Chair, Dr. Rosalind Harris, whose support and patience over the years helped me to persevere. I would also like to thank my co-chair, Dr. Patricia Ahmed. Dr. Ahmed continually both challenged and confirmed my efforts at every stage of the dissertation process. I wish to thank my entire committee and outside examiner, respectively: Dr. Rosalind Harris, Dr. Patricia Ahmed, Dr. Robert Olson, Dr. Shaunna Scott and Dr. Diane King. Each individual provided instructive and insightful comments that substantially improved and advanced my work. In addition to the assistance from my committee, I received important support from my friends and family. My mother, though not directly involved in the dissertation process, has been and continues to be an inspiration to all who work for justice and human rights. My father, who died before I became “Dr. Wallace,” was happy with whatever path I chose in life. However, he did say at one time that to have one of his children complete a doctoral thesis “would be a feather in his cap.” Now he has that feather. My four children, Camila Lorena, Luca and Aidan, I am sure, are relieved that this work is completed. iii The many friends who supported me in during the lengthy time it took to complete this dissertation have been and are invaluable. I am especially blessed with the friendship and support of Drs. Ibrahim Imam and Linda Jasper. Many moments of the dissertation process would have been very difficult (and lonely) without them. Anni, Rosemary, Lui, Amirage, Wendy, and many other wonderful human beings were part of my life at different stages of the dissertation and I appreciate their sincere support and joy in the final completion of this thesis. Finally, I acknowledge that words are important, but without action they are less effective. And as a social justice activist, the struggle to build a world based on human rights and justice is not only possible, but necessary. iv TABLE OF CONTENTS ACKNOWLEDGEMENT...............................................................................................................................iii CHAPTER ONE ...............................................................................................................................................1 PALESTINIAN WOMEN OF JABALIYA REFUGEE CAMP, OCCUPIED