In Jordan, I spent a lot of time with men. Not only did my immediate company consist of men (our driver and host were both men and I had Dan by my side), but many of our in-home social and cultural experiences were dominated by them, too. Tea and coffee in Bedouin tents was served by and among men, dinners in homes — outside of some interactions with the women of the house – were largely a male affair.
Don’t get me wrong: I enjoy spending time with men and learning about their world, but I also look forward to sharing time with women so that I may get a glimpse into their lives and appreciate their work.
And so I did in Jordan. And for me, three stories stood out. The women I met and their pride as individuals, as mothers, and as breadwinners left an impression on me. Continue Reading »
- Women in Jordan Snapshots: Coffee to Courage
- Women in Jordan: The Once Forgotten Women of the Dead Sea
Filed Under: Jordan, Middle East, Perspectives by: Audrey Scott
15 Comments | 13 March 2011
On occasion, we are fortunate enough to have an experience or conversation that sends chills for its human quality. Our time with Zikra Initiative and the women of Ghor al Mazra’a was one such experience.
From the moment I passed into the courtyard, Um Atallah took control and led me to a seat on the ground near her. Two other women swapped their attention between their work and us, offering encouraging smiles. These were the women of Ghor al Mazra’a near Jordan’s Dead Sea. And for a few hours, they shared a bit of their lives with us.
Continue Reading »
- Women in Jordan Snapshots: Coffee to Courage
- Women in Jordan: The Once Forgotten Women of the Dead Sea
Filed Under: Jordan, Middle East, Perspectives by: Audrey Scott
13 Comments | 15 March 2011