CHF

CHF

CHF

CHF International is an international development and humanitarian aid organization that operates in approximately thirty countries per year. The non-profit organization was founded in 1952 as the Cooperative Housing Foundation and provided affordable housing for low-income families in rural and urban America. CHF began working abroad in the 60s, and today, the organization implements a variety of programs in the areas of global health, economic development, housing and infrastructure, emergency response, and democracy & governance.

CHF International, in partnership with the Ministry of Women's Affairs (MOWA), and with funding provided by the Middle East Partnership Initiative (MEPI) is implementing a 12-month project that began in July 2005 aiming to facilitate women's entrepreneurship through policy reform, advocacy, capacity building, business training, and networking activities. CHF plans on working with PA Ministries, the Palestinian Private Sector, local and international NGOs as well as international businesses and organizations working in handicrafts, to empower Palestinian women through their involvement in the economic and social life of their communities.

In cooperation with the Palestine Economic Research Institute (MAS), POWER will produce three studies to help identify needed reforms relating to women's involvement in business and the economic sector.  An initial  baseline survey will be conducted to identify indicators relating to women's current involvement in business. A second study will be done to include policy recommendations on reforms needs in PA laws (particularly the investment law) and policies affecting women's entrepreneurship. The final study will focus on policy recommendations, on reforms needed in technical and vocational education and training for women.  These studies will provide a framework from which the POWER program can effectively target women entrepreneurs with maximum long-term impact.

CHF and MOWA will be holding a series of advocacy workshops.  The results activities from the workshops will be developed into an advocacy and media campaign aimed ...