The Scar of Silence
I am a Palestinian woman, a wife and mother of four daughters and one son. I married young, as was common at the time, and I could not continue my education after school, as it was not considered a major priority then. My life began early, and responsibility came before I learned to choose my own path. From a young age, I could not express what was inside me; I kept everything to myself and avoided confrontation. What remains most vivid from childhood are moments when the sounds of conflict between my parents would rise. I would press my hands over my ears and hide behind the door, trying to distance myself from the noise and fear. That image has never left me, and it led me to lean towards silence and sometimes give up my rights to prevent problems.
Where Passion Was Born
My childhood was a blur, except for my aunt. I would walk long distances just to watch her hands transform wool into warmth. In her home, I found a silence that wasn’t fearful, but creative. I began weaving and making beadwork, even as my mother scolded me:
“One day you’ll ruin your eyes, need glasses, and no one will marry you.”
Though she spoke out of love, her words stung. Yet, I was stubborn. I fell in love with the intricate details of Palestinian embroidery—the precision of the stitches and the patience they required. While my mother favored my brothers, my father was my quiet support. From that imbalance, I made a silent vow: “I will be different. I will be the support for my daughters that I once craved.”
Deferred Dreams
I married at eighteen, and my children came one after another. I found myself living in an extended family household with great responsibilities. Yet I continued to seize opportunities to practise my passion—knitting wool and creating accessories from decorative stones. Despite this, I often felt suffocated and overwhelmed, longing to develop my skills and become an independent individual. However, circumstances were not easy, and my dreams remained postponed for a long period of my life. Yet inside me, there was a volcano that never went quiet. I was constantly searching for training courses to develop my skills in handicrafts, even though my husband strongly opposed my participation and prevented me many times. Still, despair never found its way to me. Each time my husband tried to stop me, my determination to achieve my aspirations only grew stronger.
The Starting Point
I took the first step towards my dream, challenged all circumstances, and participated in a course on using copper in jewellery-making—my first true challenge. After that, I attended to many others, learning and returning stronger each time. Through these courses, I became acquainted with institutions that helped me gain skills, until I could train others in Palestinian embroidery. I began offering free training sessions, despite rejection and criticism from my family. I did not listen, because I knew this was my path. I then continued developing my skills in mosaic jewellery-making and advanced courses in this field.
Breaking the Barrier of Silence
The real transformation in my life came during my participation in a mosaic course, where I was nominated to take part in an economic empowerment project. At that moment, the dream turned into reality, and I began to think differently. The greatest difference was joining a group of women and sharing psychosocial support sessions. I listened to their painful experiences and I realized that I was not alone, and that what I carried within me was not a weakness. We became like one body, speaking freely without fear. I felt that I had triumphed over my fear, releasing words that had been suffocated since childhood. I became more confident in myself, and this was reflected in my family, who became supportive and proud of me.
The Butterfly Effect
When I look at myself today, I see a woman confident in her steps, moving forward with calmness and determination, ready to learn every day and seize opportunities to achieve her ambitions. What distinguishes me is that I am a stubborn woman. I do not like imitation; I always search for my own unique imprint. Today, I see the impact of my journey in my daughters. Each of my four daughters has begun her own path towards entrepreneurship, and I stand behind them, encouraging them, sharing their dreams, and supporting them as I once wished to be supported.
My message to every woman on this earth:
Begin, even with a small step. Give yourself the right to try. Do not let anyone stand in your way.
For independence is strength, work is healing, and no matter how difficult and complex the road may be, you will reach your destination.